IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Tvshnical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Thai 
toth 


Tha  Instituta  haa  anamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


n 

D 
D 
D 

n 
n 

n 


n 


D 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  couiaur 

Covars  damagad/ 
Couvartura  andommagta 

Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaurte  at/ou  pallicuMa 

Covar  titia  missing/ 

La  titre  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  maps/ 

Cartas  giographiquas  an  couiaur 

Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  couiaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 

Colourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 
Planchaa  at/ou  illuatrationa  9n  couiaur 

Bound  with  othar  matariai/ 
RaliA  avac  d'autraa  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

Lareliura  sarrAe  paut  causar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
distorsion  le  long  da  la  marge  intftriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  possibia,  thasa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  sa  paut  qua  cartainaa  pagaa  blanchas  ajouttes 
lors  d'una  raatauration  apparaiaaant  dans  la  taxta, 
mala,  lorsqua  cala  Mait  possibia.  caa  pagaa  n'ont 
pas  tt6  filmAas. 

Additional  commants:/ 
Commantairas  supplAmantairas; 


L'Institut  a  microfilmi  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  At*  possibia  da  sa  procurar.  Las  details 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-*tra  uniquas  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua.  qui  pauvant  modifier 
una  imaga  raproduita.  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthoda  normala  da  fiimaga 
sont  indiqute  ci-daasous. 


D 
D 

n 

n 
0 


D 

D 


Colourad  pagaa/ 
Pagaa  da  couiaur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagaa  andommagias 

Pagas  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Pagaa  raataurtes  at/ou  palliculias 

Pagaa  discolourad,  stainad  or  foxad/ 
Pagas  dAcolortes.  tachst^s  ou  piquAas 

Pagas  datachad/ 
Pagas  ditachias 

Showthrough/ 
Transparanca 


Tha 
poaa 
of  th 
filmi 


Origl 
bagii 
thai 
sion, 
otha 
first 
sion, 
or  ill 


I     I   Quality  of  print  varias/ 


Qualit*  inAgala  da  I'impraasion 

Includes  supplamantary  material/ 
Comprand  du  material  suppiimantaira 


Tha 
shall 
TINl 
whic 

Map 
diffa 
antir 
bagii 
right 
raqu 
matl^ 


Only  edition  availeble/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 

Pagas  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensura  the  best  possible  imege/ 
Les  peges  tot«lement  ou  partiailement 
obscurcies  par  un  fsuillat  d'errote,  une  peiure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmies  A  nouveau  da  fapon  A 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  da  reduction  indiquA  ci-dasaous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


aox 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 

du 
odifier 

une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  hes  been  reproduced  thank* 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Univmnity  of  SMkstchcwan 
Satlurtoon 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exempiaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  ia 
gAnArositA  da: 

Univtnity  of  Saskstehmvan 
Saskstoon 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  ft*  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  le  condition  et 
de  la  nettet*  de  rexemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  Illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplalres  orlginaux  dont  ia  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  ie  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplalres 
orlginaux  sont  flimAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernldre  Image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifle  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifle  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllmAs  A  des  taux  da  rAductlon  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  ciichA,  11  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  mAthode. 


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■Mr, 

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s 

• 

THE 


HISTORY  OF  THE  NAVY 


or    THB 


UNITED    STATES 


OF 


AMERICA; 


ABRIDGED   IN   ONE   VOLUME, 


^'^ 


'«ki.« 


414k  *i 


Philadelphia:  "• 

THOMAS,   COWPERTHWAIT  &  CO. 
1841. 


'JOiV^  4/  i%(o 


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pi" 


Entered,  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1841,  by 
J.  FENIMORE   COOPER, 

in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  district  court  of  the  United  States  in  and 
for  the  northern  district  of  New  York. 


STEREOTYPED   BY   J.    FAGAN. 


PRINTED    BY    KAY   AND    BROTHER. 


%       1 


^  ■-.. 


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PREFACE. 

This  work  has  been  reduced  in  size,  and  conse- 
quently in  cost,  by  omitting  that  portion  of  the 
original  matter  which  it  is  thought  will  have  the 
least  interest  with  the  general  reader.  The  ori- 
ginal descriptions  of  the  battles,  attacks,  chases, 
&c.,  have  been  retained,  nearly  verbatim,  and  the 
narrative  is  unbroken.  Wherever  there  has  been 
any  alteration,  in  this  respect,  it  has  been  made  with 
a  view  to  improvement.  The  opportunity  has  been 
taken,  also,  to  introduce  a  little  new  matter,  and 
to  correct  a  few  errors.  Some  faults  of  style,  and 
many  errors  of  the  press,  have  been  corrected. 
In  a  word,  in  the  author's  opinion,  this  reduced 
work  has  all  the  value  or  interest  which  may  belong 
to  the  original,  the  documents  and  more  elaborate 
reasoning  excepted.  As  a  mere  narrative,  he 
thinks  the  abridgment  will  be  found  to  have  the 
most  attraction. 


A  powerful  and  combined  attempt  has  been 
made  to  injure  both  the  book  and  the  writer,  in 
connexion  with  his  account  of  the  Battle  of  Lake 
Erie.  As  to  the  final  decision  of  the  world  on 
this  subject,  the  author  feels  no  concern  j  but  he 
will  take  this  occasion  to  say,  that  the  man  who 

(3) 


■^^^T^pigwyiiipii^'P^f^W'^ 


IV 


PREFACE. 


makes  up  his  mind  on  such  a  subject,  without  look- 
ing for  evidence,  is  guilty  equally  of  weakness  and 
injustice ;  and  as  for  those  who  do  inquire  into  the 
testimony,  who  collate  and  consider  it,  as  he  has 
himself  done,  the  author  has  no  apprehensions  con- 
cerning their  decision.  His  assailants  are  fast 
refuting  themselves;  for,  not  satisfied  with  con- 
tradicting each  other,  as  has  already  been  done  in 
fifty  instances,  they  are  contradicting  their  own 
witnesses,  and  their  own  statements.  The  mo- 
ment is  near  when  a  full  review  of  the  whole  mat- 
ter will  be  laid  before  the  public,  in  which  these 
facts  will  be  made  apparent  to  any  reader  who 
will  take  the  trouble  to  peruse  it.  It  is  not  difii- 
cult  to  deceive  the  world  for  a  time;  and  this  is 
done  so  much  the  more  easily,  when  passion,  pre- 
judice, and  clamour  conspire  to  aid  the  efifort ;  but 
public  opinion  never  fails  to  take  ample  vengeance 
for  the  mistakes  into  which  it  has  fallen  even  by  its 
own  negligence  and  compliance.  The  victims  are 
those  who  have  been  eo  ignorant  of  the  power  of 
truth  as  to  act  under  the  delusion  of  hoping  to 
smother  it,  in  an  age  like  this,  and  on  a  question 
that  can  excite  party  feeling  only  for  a  day. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Settlkment  of  countj7 — expedition  of  Captain  Argal— first 
vessels  of  New  England  —  first  engagement  on  the  water- 
first  decked  vessel — guarda-costas — first  sea-fight— Sir  'William 
Phipps's  expedition — first  twonlecked  ship,  built  in  Amer- 
ica   Page    13 

CHAPTER  n. 

Buccaneers — Captain  Kidd — taking  of  Port  Royal— expcuition 
against  the  Canadas — slave-trade— whale-fisherioa— capture  of 
Louisbourg  . . ; 30 

CHAPTER m.    . 

Shipping  of  different  ports,  1750 — old  French  war— destroying 
the  tea — burning  of  the  Gaspe — battle  of  Lexington,  &c.— 
commencement  of  revolution 29 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Privateers— first  naval  action  of  the  revolution — Lee,  Captain 
Manly — laws  of  Congress — first  American  vessels  of  war — 
officers  of  navy  first  appointed— expedition  of  Commodore 
Hopkins  —  battle  with  the  Glasgow  —  Edward  taken  by  the 
Lexington 36 

CHAPTER  V. 

Paul  Jones — his  first  cruise  as  a  commander — Doria,  Captain 
Biddle — Defence,  Captain  Harding,  takes  British  transports — 
cruise  of  the  Providence  and  Alfred  —  cruise  of  Reprisal,  in 
Europe — Lexington,  do. — Captain  Wicke's  cruises — Lexing- 
ton taken — loss  of  Reprisal — Captain  Gustavus  Conyngham's 

cruises 48 

1*  (5) 


mismmmm 


Yi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Captain  Mugford — Sachem  10 — Andrea  Doria  14— Captain  Ro- 
binson takes  the  Racehorse,  Lieutenant  Jones — galleys  in  the 
Delaware — action  in  the  Hudson  —  Ranger's  action  in  the 
West-Indies — battle  on  Lake  Champlain — General  Arnold. . . 


69 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Cruise  and  blowing  up  of  Randolph  32 — loss  of  Cabot  14— ac- 
tion of  Trumbull  28,  Captain  Saltonstall — capture  of  Fox  28— 
capture  of  Hancock  32,  Captain  Manly — vessels  destroyed  in 
the  Delaware,  by  the  English — Augusta  64,  blown  up — cruise 
of  Raleigh  32,  Captain  Thompson,  and  her  action  with  the 
Druid  20 64 

CHAPTER  VIIL 

French  alliance  —  new  frigates  built  —  Providence  12,  Captain 
Rathburne,  seizes  New  Providence — capture  of  the  Alfred  24 
—do.  of  Virginia  28,  Captain  Nicholson — frigates  burned  by 
the  enemy  in  the  Delaware  —  cruise  of  the  Ranger  16,  Paul 
Jones — takes  the  Drake  16— Major  Talbot  cuts  out  the  Pigot 
8— loss  of  Raleigh  32,  Captain  Barry 73 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Alliance  sails  for  France — mutiny — cruise  of  Warren  32,  Queen 
of  France  24,  and  Ranger  16 — Paul  Jones's  celebrated  cruise 
round  Scotland — his  battle  with  the  Serapis 81 

CHAPTER  X. 

Serapis  and  her  consorts  arrive  in  Holland  —  Paul  Jones  quits 
Holland  in  the  Alliance — Alliance  sails  for  America — Com- 
modore Jones's  return  in  the  Ariel  20— cruise  of  Deane  32, 
and  Boston  24 — Providence  captures  the  Diligent — Massachu- 
setts' cruiser,  Hazard,  captures  Active  14 — unfortunate  expe- 
dition to  the  Penobscot 104 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Vessels  taken  at  Charleston,  S.  C. — battle  of  the  Trumbull  and 
Watt — cruises  of  the  Alliance  32,  Captain  Barry — captures 
the  Atalanta  and  Trepassy— capture  of  Confederacy  32 — do. 


CONTENTS.  V\\ 

of  Trumbull  S8  —  Congress  privateer  takes  the  Savage  16  — 
cruise  of  the  Alliance  in  the  West-Indies  —  escape  of  the 
Hague  32,  Captain  Manly 108 

CHAPTER  Xn. 

Battle  of  the  Hyder  Ally,  Captain  Barney,  and  Monk,  Captain 
Rogers — state  cruisers — South  Carolina — her  capture— end  of 
war  of  revolution 117 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Commencement  of  present  navy— quasi  war  with  France 133 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

First  vessel  at  sea — le  Croyable  taken — escape  of  the  Retaliation, 
Lieutenant  Bainbridge 126 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Vessels  of  war  at  sea  in  1799— Constellation  38,  captures  I'ln- 
Burgente  36 — vessels  at  sea  in  1800 — action  between  Constel* 
lation  and  la  Vengeance — Lieutenant  Hull  cuts  out  the  Sand- 
wich — ^loss  of  rinsurgente  and  Pickering — cruise  and  actions 
of  Enterprise,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Shaw  —  Boston  en- 
gages boats— captures  the  Berceau — French  privateers  taken 
—  Experiment,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Maley,  engages 
barges — Experiment,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  cap- 
tures Diana— captures  English  privateer — end  of  French  war 
— peace  establishment 130 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

War  with  Tripoli — Commodore  Dale's  squadron — Enterprise 
captures  the  Tripoli — negotiat^op« 150 

CHAPTER  XVn. 

Law  of  1802 — Commodore  Morris'  squadron  sent  to  Mediterra- 
nean— Boston  24,  Captain  M'Neill — Constellation  opens  the 
war  before  the  town  of  Tripoli — movements  of  squadron  under 
Commodore  Morris — arrives  off  Tripoli — attack  on  wheat  ves- 
sels—  attack  on  gun-boats  —  John  Adams,  Captain  Rodgers, 
destroys  an  enemy's  cruiser — gallant  behaviour  of  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Hull — Commodore  Morris  returns  home— deaths 
and  resignations 155 


VIU 


CONTENT  8. 


\\  \ 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Small  cruisers  built — third  squadron  sent  to  Mediterranean,  under 
Commodore  Proble — treaty  with  Morocco— Philadelphia  cap- 
tures a  Moorish  cruiser 166 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Philadelphia  38,  Captain  Bainbridge  —  appears  off  Tripoli  — 
chases  a  xebec — is  lost  on  a  reef,  and  crew  captured — list  of 
her  officers — movements  of  Commodore  Preble — sends  ketch 
Intrepid,  Lieutenant  Decatur,  to  destroy  the  Philadelphia — 
frigate  humed 169 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Year  1804 — Siren  takes  the  Transfer — affair  with  gun-boats  to 
the  westward  of  Tripoli — Commodore  Preble  appears  off  the 
port — forces  of  respective  parties — action  of  3d  of  August. . . .  185 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Preparations  for  new  attack — attack  of  17th  of  August — No.  8, 
gun-boat,  blown  up — John  Adams,  Captain  Chauncey,  arrives 
from  America — narrow  escape  of  the  Argus,  Captain  Hull — 
bombardment  of  the  24th  —  attack  of  25th — attack  of  3d  of 
September 196 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Ketch  Intrepid — preparations — her  attack — the  explosion — pro- 
bable causes  of  the  disaster — private  journal  of  Captain  Bain- 
bridge— arrival  of  squadron  of  Commodore  Barron — Commo- 
modore  Preble  returns  home 205 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Force  in  Mediterranean,  close  of  1804  —  expedition  of  General 
Eaton — force  May,  1805 — end  of  Tripolitan  war 216 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Commodore  Rodgers  goes  to  Tunis — dictates  a  treaty — condition 
of  the  navy  1805-6-7 — Leander  kills  a  man  off  Sandy  Hook 
—Chesapeake  38,  Commodore  Barron,  fitted  for  the  Mediter- 
ranean— English  demand  for  deserters — frigate  sails — attacked 
by  Leopard  50 — particulars  of  the  affair— courts  martial 221 


I 


CONTENTS 


CHAFFER  XXV. 

Gun-boats — embargo  of  1807 — naval  force  on  thecoaat — reMelt  <' 
on  the  lakes —•  vessels  in  active  service— 1811  —  President 
punishes  Little  Belt 933 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

State  of  navy  1813 — marine  corps — English  navy — American  do. 
— prospects  of  a  war  with  England — Captains  Bainbridge  and 
Stewart  remonstrate  against  laying  up  the  vessels  of  war  — 
feeling  of  country,  and  of  the  navy 939 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

War  declared,  June  18th,  1812 — situation  of  American  navy- 
squadron  of  Commodore  Rodgers  —chase  of  Belvidera  36— 
unsuccessful  pursuit  of  West-India  convoy — English  squadron 
under  Commodore  Broke,  takes  the  Nautilus  12,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Crane— celebrated  chase  of  the  Constitution  44, 
Captain  Hull— cruise  of  the  Essex  33,  Captain  Porter— cap- 
tures the  Alert  18 — second  cruise  of  the  Constitution — action 
viith  the  Guerriere — squadron  of  Commodore  Bainbridge. . . .  344 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Commodore  Rodgers — action  of  United  States  and  Macedonian 
—cruise  of  Argus — action  of  Wasp  and  Frolic 963 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Cruise  of  the  Constitution,  Commodore  Bainbridge,  Hornet, 
Captain  Lawrence — action  between  Constitution  and  Java- 
Hornet  blockades  Bonne  Citoyenne — action  between  Hornet 
and  Peacock — Hornet  returns  home-«-new  vessels  ordered  to 
be  built , 369 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Essex  33,  Captain  Porter — takes  the  Nocton — doubles  Cape 
Horn — makes  prizes — equips  a  sloop  of  war 378 

CHAPTER  XXXL 

Cruises  of  Essex  and  Georgiana — prizes— equips  Essex  Junior 
proceeds  to  the  Marquesas 284 


I 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Arrival  at  Nooaheevah — sails  for  Valparaiso^arrival  of  Phcebe 
and  Cherub  —  attempt  on  the  latter — blockade  —  action  of 
Phcebe  and  Cherub  with  Essex— capture  of  the  Essex — Essex 
Junior  sails  for  America — Lieutenant  Gamble 289 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Chesapeake  Bay  —  Constellation  frigate  —  blockaded  —  Chesa- 
peake 38,  Captain  Lawrence — sails  from  Boston — her  action 
with  the  Shannon  38 .' 301 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Smaller  cruisers  —  Vixen  —  Siren  —  Enterprise — captures  the 
Boxei^-chased  on  the  southern  coast — Rattlesnake  taken. . . . 


310 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

New  sloops  of  war — Argus'  cruise  in  British  channel — captured 
by  the  Pelican 314 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Chesapeake  Bay  —  gun-boats  attack  British  frigates  Narcissus 
and  Junon — attack  on  Craney  Island — Asp  taken — Commo- 
dore Decatur  chased  into  New  London— Lieutenant  Kearny 
takes  the  Hebrus'  tender— do.  Severn's — gun-boat,  No.  160, 
t&ken— affair  in  the  Delaware 318 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

New  vessels  launched — Frolic  taken  by  the  Orpheus— cruise  of 
the  Adams — run  on  a  rock — attacked  and  burned — Wasp  18, 
sails  for  English  channel — action  with  the  Reindeer — goes 
into  France — sails  again — action  with  the  Avon — continues 
her  cruise — probable  fate 324 

CHAPTER  XXX VHI. 

Captain  Sir  Peter  Parker — Commodore  Barney  in  Chesapeake 
Bay  —  his  different  actions  —  flotilla  burnt  —  Bladensburgh — 
vessels  destroyed  at  Washington — Baltimore — death  of  Gene- 
ral Ross 333 


■!»i 


^1 


'I 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


i 


W' 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Loss  of  gun-boats  at  New  Orleans — gallant  conduct  of  the  Garo-  ; 
Una — Louisbna  cannonade — ^battle  of  New  Orleans 340 

CHAPTER  XL. 

War  on  the  lakes— enemy^s  force— first  attack  on  Sackett's  Har- 
bour — Commodore  Chauncey  takes  command — ^upper  lakes- 
Lieutenant  Elliott  cuts  out  two  brigs  from  under  Fort  Erifr— 
John  Adams'  crew  arrives— Commodore  Chauncey  attacks 
Kingston— bloody  affair  at  Erie,  under  Lieutenant  Angus ....  347 

CHAPTER  XLL 

Character  of  vessels  on  LakeOntario— new  vessels  built— attack 
on  York — do.  on  Fort  George 358 

CHAPTER  XLIL 

British  attack  Sackett's  Harbour— building— loss  of  Growler  and 
Eagle,  on  Lake  Champlain — attempt  on  American  vessels  fails 
— Lake  Ontario— York  taken  a  second  time— manoeuvring  of 
two  squadrons— Hamilton  and  Scourge  lost  in  a  squall— 4C> 
tionrxGrowler  and  Julia  taken 365 

CHAPTER  XLin. 

Squadrons  in  front  of  each  other— fruitless  manoeuvres— actions 
without  results— action  off  York-English  squadron  driven  to 
Burlington  Bay— enemy  escapes  — British  gun-vessels  cap- 
tured—American troops  transported 375 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Captain  Perry  on  Lake  Erie  —  enemy's  force— Americans  get 
out  of  Presque  Isle— American  foro&— first  cruise — reinforce- 
ment of  officers  and  men--battle  of  Lake  Erie 383 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Increased  force  on  Lake  Ontario— Oswego  taken— Sackett's  Har- 
bour blockaded— English  party  in  Salmon  river  taken— block- 
ade of  Sackett's  Harbour  raised — handsome  exploits  of  Lieu- 
tenant Gregory— Americans  blockade  Kingston— English  two- 
decker  gets  out— end  of  the  season .- 396 


^ssummmm 


Ml 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

Lake  Champlaii>— naval  forces — Americans  cannonade  English 
army— 4)attle  of  Plattsburg  Bay 404 

CHAPTER  XLVn. 

Upper  lakes— English  surprise  American  schooners  off  Fort  Erie 
—do.  in  Lake  Huron— recapitulation  of  the  service  performed 
on  Uie  lakes 417 

CHAPTER  XLVm. 

Constitution,  Captain  Stewart—action  with  Cyaneand  Levant- 
Port  Praya^^English  squadron  appears— chase  of  Constitution 
and  her  prizes— escape  of  Constitution  and  Cyane— capture 
of  Levant— services  of  Old  Ironiudes 421 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

President,  Commodore  Decatur—- her  capture— action  between 
Hornet  and  Penguin— ^hase  of  Hornet— Peacock  takes  the 
Nautilu»— end  of  war 439 

CHAPTER  L. 

War  against  Algiers— squadron  despatched  to  the  Mediterranean 
—capture  of  an  Algerine  frigate,  and  of  a  brig — submission  of 
the  Regency— treaty  concluded— increase  of  the  American 
navy— its  present  condition,  and  future  prospects 441 


*',-^^p(,yfT"  y:^  TW)  ■ " 


404 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


OF    THE 


417 


UNITED  STATES, 


121 


39 


# 


•'J')i-  ■ 


i 


CHAPTER  I. 

1607. 

Notwithstanding  the  insular  position  of  its  seat  of  au- 
thority, the  naval  ascendency  of  England  is  of  comparatively 
recent  date ;  Spain,  and  even  the  diminutive  communities  of 
Portugal  and  Holland,  manifesting  as  great  a  spirit  of  nautical 
enterprise,  during  the  century  and  a  half  that  succeeded  the 
important  discovery  of  the  western  hemisphere,  and  that  of  a 
passage  by  sea  to  India.  While  these  three  nations  were  colo- 
nising extensively,  and  laying  the  foundations  of  future  states, 
the  seamen  of  England  expended  their  energies  in  predatory 
expeditions  that  were  rapacious  in  their  object  and  piratical  in 
spirit.  Familiar  political  causes,  beyond  a  question,  had  an 
influence  in  bringing  about  these  results ;  for,  while  the  ac- 
cession of  the  House  of  Hapsbourg  to  the  throne  of  Spain  and 
the  Indies,  created  a  power  able  to  cope  with  Europe,  as  it  then 
existed,  England,  driven  entirely  from  her  continental  posses- 
sions, had  Scotland  for  a  troublesome  neighbour,  and  Ireland 
for  a  discontented  and  turbulent  subject,  to  check  her  efforts 
abroad.  It  is  probable,  too,  that  the  civil  congests,  in  which 
England  was  so  long  engaged,  had  a  serious  effect  on  her 
naval  advancement,  and  the  struggle  that  succeeded  the  de- 
thronement of  the  family  of  Stuart,  could  not  fail  to  lessen 
exertions  that  were  directed  to  interests  without  the  territory 
more  immediately  in  dispute.  As  a  consequence  of  all  these 
causes,  or  of  that  portion  of  them  which  was  in  existence  at 
the  commencement  of  the  seventeenth  century,  when  England 
seriously  commenced  the  business  of  colonisation,  Spain, 
France,  and  Portugal  were  already  in  possession  of  what  were 
2  (") 


14 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1607-20. 


then  considered  the  most  favourable  regions  on  the  American 
continent.  When,  indeed,  the  experiment  was  finally  and  suc- 
cessfully made,  individual  enterprise,  rather  than  that  of  the 
government,  achieved  the  object;  and  for  many  years  the 
power  of  the  crown  was  exercised  with  no  other  aim  than  to 
afford  an  ill-regulated,  and  frequently  an  insufficient  protec- 
tion. It  was  Englishmen,  and  not  England,  that  founded  the 
country  which  is  now  known  as  the  United  States  of  America. 

The  vessels,  employed  in  the  earliest  communications  be- 
tween the  colonies  and  the  mother  country,  were  small,  vary- 
ing from  fifty  to  two  hundred  tons  in  burthen.  The  expedition 
to  Plymouth  was  first  attempted  in  the  May  Flower,  a  bark  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty  tons,  and  the  Speedwell,  of  sixty  tons ; 
but  the  latter  proving  leaky,  afler  twice  returning  to  port  to 
refit,  was  abandoned,  and  the  voyage  was  made  in  the  former 
vessel  alone.  The  May  Flower  sailed  from  Plymouth,  in  Eng- 
land, on  the  6th  of  September,  and,  afler  a  stormy  passage, 
made  Cape  Cod  on  the  9th  of  November. 

The  first  conflict  that  took  place  between  the  colonists  and 
any  of  their  civilized  neighbours,  occurred  in  1613,  when  an 
expedition  from  Virginia,  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Samuel 
Argal,  arriving  on  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  made  an  attack 
on  the  new  French  post  of  St.  Sauveur,  which  was  reduced 
without  difficultj\  Argal  had  eleven  vessels  with  him,  most 
of  which,  however,  were  quite  small,  and  his  armaments 
amounted  in  the  whole  to  fourteen  light  guns.  The  French 
were  entirely  without  artillery.  The  avowed  object  of  this 
enterprise  was  fishing,  but  the  armament  has  induced  a  suspi- 
cion that  the  end  actually  effected  was  also  kept  in  view. 
Whatever  might  have  been  the  intention  in  fitting  out  the  first 
force  under  Captain  Argal,  it  is  quite  certain,  that,  on  his 
return  to  Virginia,  he  was  formally  sent  against  the  French  in 
Acadie,  with  three  vessels,  better  prepared,  and  that  he  laid 
waste  the  whole  of  their  possessions.  Both  of  these  occur- 
rences took  place  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  and  grew  out 
of  a  claim  of  the  English,  to  the  possession  of  the  whole  coast, 
as  far  north  as  the  46th  degree  of  latitude. 

On  his  return  to  Virginia,  Captain  Argal  entered  the  bay  of 
New  York,  and  demanded  possession  of  that  territory  also, 
under  the  plea  that  it  had  been  discovered  by  an  Englishman. 
Hendrick  Christaens,  whom  Argal  styled  "  a  pretended  Dutch 
Governor,"  had  no  force  to  resist  such  a  claim,  and  was  com- 
pelled to  submit.     On  the  return  to  Virginia,  one  of  the  three 


1G14-39.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


15 


• 


vessels  employed  in  this  expedition  was  lost,  and  another  hav- 
ing been  driven  as  far  east  as  the  Azores,  proceeded  to  Eng- 
land, while  Captain  Argal  alone  got  into  the  Chesapeake. 
The  prisoners  taken  on  this  occasion  narrowly  escaped  being 
executed  as  pirates ! 

This  was  the  first  warlike  maritime  expedition  attempted  by 
the  American  colonists,  if  a  few  parties  sent  in  boats  against 
the  savages  be  excepted.  The  Dutch  were  not  dispossessed 
by  the  useless  attempt  on  their  settlement,  which  appears  to 
have  been  viewed  more  as  a  protest  than  a  conquest,  for  they 
continued  to  increase  and  to  govern  themselves  for  near  half 
a  century  longer.  The  first  decked  vessel  built  within  the  old 
United  States,  of  which  we  have  any  account,  was  constructed 
by  Schipper  Adrian  Blok,  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and 
probably  within  the  present  limits  of  New  York,  during  the 
summer  of  1614.  This  vessel  De  Laet  terms  a  "  yacht,"  and 
describes  as  having  been  of  the  dimensions  of  thirty-eight  feet 
keel,  forty-four  and  a  half  feet  on  deck,  and  eleven  feet  beam. 
In  this  "yacht"  Blok  passed  through  Hell  Gate,  into  the 
Sound,  and  steering  eastward,  he  discovered  a  small  island, 
which  he  named  after  himself;  going  as  far  as  Cape  Cod,  by 
the  Vineyard  passage. 

According  to  the  same  authority',  the  Dutch  at  New  Amster- 
dam, who  had  constructed  a  fort,  and  reinforced  their  colony, 
soon  after  built  many  more  small  vessels,  sloops  and  periaguas, 
opening  a  trade  with  the  savages,  by  means  of  the  numerous 
bays,  sounds,  and  rivers  of  their  territory. 

It  was  also  in  1614  that  the  celebrated  Capt.  John  Smith 
arrived  from  England,  and  sailed  on  a  coasting  voyage,  with 
the  double  purpose  of  trade  and  discovery.  He  went  himself 
in  a  boat,  having  a  crew  of  only  eight  men,  and  the  profits, 
as  well  as  the  discoveries,  abundantly  rewarded  the  risks. 

As  early  as  in  1629  the  New  England  Company  empltjyed 
five  ships  of  respectable  size,  in  the  trade  with  the  colony. 
Most  of  these  vessels  were  armed,  and  all  took  colonists  in  their 
outvvai'd  passages.  A  small  ship  was  built  at  or  near  Boston, 
in  1633,  which  was  one  of  the  first  vessels,  if  not  the  first 
vessel  of  any  size  constructed  in  New  England.  But  the  pro- 
gress of  the  colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay  was  so  rapid,  that 
in  1639  laws  were  passed  to  encourage  the  fisheries,  which 
may  be  considered  as  the  elementary  school  of  American  nau- 
tical enterprise.  The  first  engagement  that  probably  ever  oc- 
curred between  inhabitants  of  the  American  colonies,  and  ene- 


lij.M.i>Jl|,u.......i.„. 


16 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1636. 


mies  afloat,  was  a  conflict  between  John  Gallop,  who  was  en- 
gaged in  a  trade  with  the  Indians,  in  a  sloop  of  twenty  tons, 
and  some  Narragansetts,  who  had  seized  upon  a  small  vessel 
belonging  to  a  person  of  the  name  of  Oldham,  known  to  have 
been  similarly  occupied.  As  this,  in  a  certain  sense,  may  be 
deemed  the  earliest  sea-fight  of  the  nation,  it  is  worthy  to  bo 
related. 

Some  time  in  May,  1636,  Gallop  in  his  little  sloop,  manned 
by  two  men  and  two  boys,  himself  included,  was  standing 
along  the  Sound,  near  Plum  Island,  when  he  was  compelled 
by  stress  of  weather  to  bear  up  for  the  islands  that  form  a  chain 
between  Long  Island  and  Connecticut.  On  nearing  the  land, 
he  discovered  a  vessel  very  similar  to  his  own,  which  was  im- 
mediately recognised  as  the  pinnace  of  Mr.  Oldham,  who  had 
sailed  with  a  crew  of  two  white  boys  and  two  Narragansett 
Indians.  Gallop  hailed  on  approaching  the  other  craft,  but 
got  no  answer ;  and,  running  still  nearerj  no  less  than  four- 
teen Indians  were  discovered  lying  on  her  deck.  A  canoe, 
conveying  goods,  and  manned  by  Indians,  had  just  started  for 
the  shore.  Gallop  now  suspected  that  Oldham  had  been  over- 
powered by  the  savages ;  a  suspicion  that  was  confirmed  by 
the  Indians  slipping  their  cable,  and  standing  off  before  the 
wind,  in  the  direction  of  Narragansett  Bay.  Satisfied  that 
a  robbery  liad  been  committed,  Gallop  made  sail  in  chase,  and 
running  alongside  the  pinnace,  he  fired  a  volley  of  duck-shot 
at  the  savages.  The  latter  had  swords,  spears,  and  some  fire- 
arms, and  they  attempted  a  resistance,  but  Gallop  soon  drove 
them  below  to  a  man.  Afraid  to  board  in  the  face  of  such 
odds,  Gallop  now  had  recourse  to  a  novel  expedient  to  dislodge 
his  enemies.  As  the  pinnace  was  virtually  adrift,  she  soon 
fell  to  leeward,  while  the  sloop  hauled  by  the  wind.  As  soon 
as  the  two  vessels  were  far  enough  asunder.  Gallop  put  his 
helm  up,  and  ran  directly  down  on  the  weather  quarter  of  the 
pinnace,  striking  her  with  so  much  violence  as  to  come  near 
forcing  her  over  on  her  side.  The  shock  so  much  alarmed 
the  India'ns,  that  six  of  them  rushed  frantically  on  deck,  and 
leaped  into  the  sea.  The  sloop  again  hauled  oflT,  when  Gallop 
lashed  an  anchor  to  her  bows,  and  running  down  on  the  pin- 
nace a  second  time,  he  forced  the  flukes  .through  the  sides  of 
the  latter,  •which  are  represented  as  having  been  made  of  boards. 
The  two  vessels  were  now  fast  to  each  other,  and  the  crew  of 
the  sloop  began  to  fire  through  the  sides  of  the  pinnace,  into 
ner  hold.    Finding  it  impossible,  however,  to  drive  his  ene- 


163ti.J 


NAVAL     HISTOU  Y 


17 


mics  up,  Gallop  loosened  his  fasts,  and  hauled  up  to  windward 
a  third  time,  when  four  or  five  more  of  the  Indians  jumped 
overboard.  One  Indian  now  appeared  on  deck  and  offered  to 
submit.  Gallop  ran  alongside,  and  received  this  man  in  the 
sloop  ;  he  was  bound  hands  and  feet,  and  put  into  the  hold.  An- 
other soon  followed  this  example,  and  he  was  also  received  on 
board  the  sloop  and  bound ;  but,  fearful  if  two  of  Iiis  wily 
foes  were  permitted  to  commune  together,  that  they  would  lib- 
erate themselves,  the  second  prisoner  was  thrown  into  the  sea. 
Only  two  Indians  now  remained  in  the  pinnace.  They  had 
got  into  a  small  apartment  below,  and  being  armed,  they  show- 
ed a  disposition  to  defend  themselves,  when  Gallop  removed 
all  the  goods  that  remained  into  his  own  sloop,  stripped  the 
pinnace  of  her  sails,  took  her  in  tow,  and  hauled  up  for  the 
islands  again.  But  the  wind  increasing,  the  pinnace  was  cut 
adrift,  and  she  disappeared  in  the  direction  of  Narragansett 
Bay,  where  it  is  probable  she  was  stranded  in  the  course  of  a 
iew  hours. 

On  board  the  pinnace.  Gallop  found  the  body  of  Mr.  Old- 
ham. The  head  had  been  cleft,  the  hands  and  legs  were  much 
mangled,  and  the  flesh  was  still  warm.  The  corpse  was  thrown 
into  the  sea. 

Thus  terminated  this  extraordinary  conflict,  in  which  Gal- 
lop appears  to  have  shown  as  much  conduct  as  courage,  and 
which  in  itself  illustrates  the  vast  superiority  that  belongs  to 
professional  skill  on  an  element  like  the  sea.  As  it  was  of  the 
last  importance  to  create  a  respect  for  the  English  name,  the 
report  of  the  conqueror  on  this  occasion  induced  the  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts  to  send  an  expedition  against  the  of- 
fenders, under  Mr.  Endecott,  one  of  the  assistants,  which  did 
the  Indians  much  injury  in  the  destruction  of  their  dwellings 
and  crops,  though  the  savages  themselves  !ook  to  flight.  This 
expedition,  however,  was  followed  up  by  others  that  met  with 
greater  success. 

The  French  in  Acadie,  also,  gave  rise  to  two  or  three  unim- 
portant armaments,  which  led  to  no  results  worthy  of  being 
recorded. 

Notwithstanding  the  frequency  of  the  Indian  conflicts,  and 
the  repeated  visits  of  the  French,  the  first  regular  cruisers  em- 
ployed by-  the  American  colonists  appear  to  have  owed  their 
existence  to  misunderstandings  with  the  Dutch  of  the  New 
Netherlands.  The  colony  of  New  Haven  had  so  far  increas- 
ed as  to  cause  a  vessel  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  to  bo 
3* 


18 


NAVAL     HIMTOU Y 


[164G-B0. 


built  in  Rhodo  Island,  as  early  as  the  year  1646,  but  the  ship 
was  lost  at  sea  on  her  first  passage.  Shortly  after,  a  small 
cruiser,  carrying  ten  guns,  and  forty  men,  was  employed  by 
the  united  colonies  of  Hartford  and  New  Haven,  to  cruise  in 
Long  Island  Sound,  with  a  view  to  prevent  the  encroachments 
of  the  Dutch,  and  to  keep  o[)en  tlie  communication  with  the 
settlements  they  had  made  on  the  opposite  shore.  In  1054, 
orders  were  received  from  Parliament  to  treat  the  Dutch  as 
enemies,  but  both  communities  wore  still  too  young  and  fceblo 
to  engage  in  a  warfare  that  wos  not  considered  of  paramount 
necessity.  Nothing  cftective  appears  to  have  been  done  under 
these  instructions. 

At  a  later  day,  or  in  1665-6,  Connecticut  kept  another 
small  vessel  cruising  ofl'  Watch  Hill,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
Narragansett  Indians  from  crossing  to  attack  the  Montauk 
tribe,  which  had  been  taken  under  the  protection  of  the  colony. 

In  1645,  a  ship  of  some  size  was  built  at  Cambridge,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  receiving  an  armament  of  fourteen  guns,  and 
a  crew  of  thirty  men,  she  sailed  for  the  Canary  Isles.  This 
vessel  fell  in  with  a  rovor,  of  twenty  guns,  and  seventy  men, 
supposed  to  belong  to  Barbary,  when  an  action  took  place 
that  continued  the  entire  day.  The  rover  receiving  some  seri- 
ous injury  in  her  rudder,  the  New  England  ship  was  enabled 
to  escape.  Although  the  conflict  between  Gallop  and  the  Nar- 
ragansetts  is,  in  one  sense,  entitled  to  the  precedency,  this  ac- 
tion may  be  set  down  as  the  first  regular  naval  combat  in  which 
any  American  vessel  is  known  to  have  been  engaged. 

An  important  change  occurred,  in  1664,  in  the  situation  of 
the  American  colonies,  by  the  capture  of  New  Netherlands 
from  the  Dutch.  The  vessels  employed  on  this  service  were 
under  the  orders  of  Sir  Robert  Carr,  while  Colonel  Richard 
Nicoll  commanded'the  troops.  No  resistance  was  made.  In 
consequence  of  this  accession  of  territory,  and  the  submission 
of  the  Swedish  settlements  on  the  Delaware,  the  English  Col- 
onies had  entire  possession  of  the  coast,  between  the  Bay  of 
Fundy  and  the  Floridas. 

While  the  English  were  thus  occupying  the  coast,  the  French 
were  gradually  extending  themselves  along  the  chain  of  Great 
Lakes  in  the  interior,  drawing  a  belt  around  the  territories  of 
their  rivals.  In  the  course  of  events  of  this  nature,  de  la  Salle 
launched  a  vessel  often  tons  on  Lake  Ontario,  in  1678,  which 
was  the  first  decked  boat  that  ever  sailed  on  those  waters. 


IGfiG-OO.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


19 


The  following  year,  he  caused  a  vessel  of  sixty  tons  to  be 
launched  on  Lake  Erie. 

The  buccaneers  began  to  commit  depredations  in  the  Ameri- 
can seas,  about  the  year  1666 ;  and  piracies  on  a  smaller 
scale,  wore  not  unfrcquent  at  a  much  earlier  day.  These 
buccaneers  originally  were  mere  outlaws  in  the  West  India 
IshindH.  Compelled  at  length  to  unite,  they  assembled  at  the 
T(jrtugas,  and  bc-gan  to  plunder  such  vessels  as  approached 
the  shore ;  most  of  their  robberies  being  committed  by  means 
of  open  boats.  The  Spanish  vessels,  in  particular,  became  the 
objects  of  their  assaults;  and  encouraged  by  success,  they 
begun  to  cruise  farther  from  the  land.  Their  numbers  rapidly 
increased,  and  ere  long  they  ventured  to  make  descents  on  the 
coasts,  more  especially  on  those  of  the  Spanish  settleinents,  in 
quest  of  plunder.  It  is  a  mark  of  the  peculiar  character  of  the 
age,  that  those  freebooters  often  commenced  their  enterprises 
with  prayer ! — They  spent  their  ill-gotten  wealth  as  profligately 
as  it  had  been  obtained,  and  like  more  powciful  bodies  of  men, 
were  finally  destroyed  by  the  excesses  engendered  by  their 
own  prosperity. 

In  consequence  of  the  great  number  of  privateers  that  sailed 
out  of  Acadie,  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  sent  an  expe- 
dition against  Port  Royal,  in  1690.  The  forces  were  com- 
manded by  Sir  William  Phipps,  and  amounted  to  between  700 
and  800  men,  who  were  embarked  in  eight  small  vessels. 
This  expedition  sailed  on  the  28th  of  April,  and  returned  on 
the  30th  of  May,  having  been  successful.  The  good  fortune 
that  attended  this  enterprise,  induced  the  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  attempt  another  against  a  place  as  important  as 
Quebec.  Sir  William  Phipps  again  commanded,  having  be- 
tween thirty  and  forty  vessels,  the  largest  of  which  was  of  44 
guns  and  200  men,  and  the  whole  number  of  the  troops  and 
seamen  employed  was  about  2000.  These  forces  reached 
Quebec,  October  the  5th,  1690,  and  landed,  October  the  8th. 
The  force  disembarked  was  about  12  or  1300  men,  but  it  was 
repulsed  without  much  fighting.  On  their  return  to  Boston, 
the  ships  were  dispersed  by  a  gale,  and  little  credit  was  gained 
by  the  undertaking. 

The  Falkland,  a  fourth-rate,  was  launched  in  the  Piscata- 
qua,  in  1690,  and  was  the  first  ship-of-the-line  ever  built  in 
America. 

Much  alarm  existed  along  the  coast,  about  this  time,  from 
an  apprehension  of  the  French,  who  were  uadef^E^fS^ 


L  -BRARY 


'• 


^■SKAVCM^- 


sfj^ 


NAVAL     HlBTOllY. 


(1700. 


cruising  in  the  American  seas.  We  learn,  indeed,  from  the 
whole  history  of  that  period,  how  nearly  balanced  were  the 
naval  powers  of  Europe;  England,  Franco,  Spain,  and  lIoU 
land,  standing  in  mutual  awo  of  each  other,  on  the  high  seas. 


\ 


CHAPTER   II. 


The  close  of  the  seventeenth  century  was  the  period  when 
the  piracies  had  got  to  be  the  most  serious,  and  when  Kidd  was 
guilty  of  those  acts  that  have  since  given  him  a  notoriety  that 
would  seem  to  bo  altogether  disproportioned  to  his  deeds. 
During  the  wars  of  that  day,  the  seas  had  been  much  infested 
with  a  species  of  privateers,  that  ollen  oommitted  aggressions, 
and  even  piracies,  on  neutral  vessels.  Most  of  thes6  rovers 
were  English ;  and  it  is  said  that  they  sometimes  plundered 
their  own  countrymen.  New  Y'ork  was  not  entirely  exempt 
from  the  suspicion  of  having  ctiuippcd  several  vessels  of  this 
description,  and  very  unpleasant  surmises  alfected  the  churac* 
ters  of  some  distinguished  men  of  the  colony,  the  governor, 
Fletcher,  among  others.  In  appreciating  such  charges,  it  is 
necessary  to  remember  the  character  of  the  age,  there  being 
no  disgrace  attached  to  adventures  in  private  armed  ships,  and 
the  transition  from  fighting  for  plunder,  and  plundering  unlaw- 
fully, is  very  trifling,  in  remote  seas,  where  testimony  is  not 
easily  obtained,  and  the  law  is  impotent.  That  which  men  can 
practise  with  impunity,  they  are  apt  to  undertake,  when  tempted 
by  cupidity;  and  that  which  is  frequent,  ceases  to  shock  the 
sense  of  right.  It  is  by  no  means  probable  that  either  Governor 
Fletcher,  or  any  distinguished  colonist,  deliberately  engaged  in 
piratical  adventures ;  but  it  is  quite  possible  that  such  men  may 
have  been  concerned  in  the  equipment  of  private  cruisers,  that 
subsequently  committed  acts  which  the  laws  condemned.  It 
is  possible,  that  when  such  vessels  have  returned,  a  rigid  in- 
quiry into  the  origin  of  the  plunder  they  brought  with  them, 
was  not  always  made.  Such,  in  some  measure,  was  the  case 
with  Kidd,  whose  subsequent  notoriety  appears  to  have  been 
as  much  owing  to  the  eclat  with  which  he  sailed,  sanctioned 
by  government,  and  supported  by  men  of  character,  and  to 


)0. 

l>o 

10 

I. 


1699.] 


NAVAL      HISTORY 


21 


» 


some  striking  incidents  that  accompanied  his  return,  as  to  any 
extraonlinnry  excesses  us  a  pirate.  The  facts  of  his  case 
appear  to  have  been  us  follows : 

Much  odium  having  been  cast  on  the  colony  of  New  York, 
in  consequence  of  tho  number  of  piracies  that  had  been  com- 
milted  by  rovers  sailing  from  tho  port  of  that  name,  the  govern- 
ment in  England  dtjemcd  it  necessary  to  take  serious  measures 
to  repress  the  evil.  This  duty  was  in  particular  confided  to 
the  Earl  of  Mellamont,  who  had  been  apjwinted  the  governor 
of  several  of  the  colonies.  Mr.  Robert  Livingston  hapjKjniiig 
to  be  in  England  when  the  subject  was  under  discussion,  and 
being  a  man  of  influence  in  the  colony  of  New  York,  he  was 
conferred  with,  as  to  tho  most  advisable  means  of  putting  an 
end  to  the  practice.  Mr.  Livingston  advised  that  a  cruiser  of 
force  should  be  sent  out  expressly  to  seize  all  lawless  rovers, 
and  he  introduced  to  Lord  IJel  lament,  Captain  Wm.  Kidd,  whom 
he  recommended  as  a  seaman  qualified  to  bo  put  at  the  head 
of  such  an  adventure.  Captain  Kidd  was  said  to  have  a  know- 
ledge of  the  pirates,  and  of  their  places  of  resort ;  and  at  the 
same  time,  to  be  a  man  on  whose  integrity  and  services  full 
reliance  might  be  placed.  The  firet  proposition  was  to  employ 
a  king's  ship  of  3U  guns  and  150  men  on  this  service;  but  the 
war  requiring  all  the  regular  cruisers,  it  is  a  proof  of  the  spirit 
of  the  times,  that  the  matter  was  referred  to  private  enterprise, 
although  the  sanction  of  government  was  not  only  promised, 
but  obtained.  Mr.  Livingston  took  one-fifth  of  the  shares,  and 
became  the  usual  security  for  the  lawfulness  of  Kidd's  pro- 
ceedings. The  Lord  Chancellor,  and  several  other  distin- 
guished noblemen,  took  shares  in  the  adventure  also,  and  the 
crown  reserved  to  itself  a  tenth  of  the  proceeds,  as  a  proof  that 
it  approved  of  the  enterprise.  Kidd  received  his  commission 
and  his  orders  from  the  Earl  of  Bellamont,  whom  he  followed 
to  America  for  that  purpose,  sailing  from  Plymouth  in  Eng- 
land, April  1696,  for  New  York.  There  is  much  reason  for 
thinking  that  Captain  Kidd  was  not  guilty  of  any  illegal  act 
himself,  until  he  found  that  his  more  legitimate  enterprise  was 
not  likely  to  be  successful.  In  the  end,  however,  he  went  to 
the  eastward  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  where  he  certainly 
committed  piracies,  though  to  what  extent  is  now  questionable. 
He  was  accused  of  ravaging  the  sea  between  Madagascar  and 
the  coast,  from  Babelmandel  to  Malabar,  and  of  committing 
the  usual  excesses,  though  it  is  probable  that  there  was  much  ex- 
aggeration mixed  up  with  the  histories  and  rumours  of  the  day. 


^AVAL     HI8TOIIV. 


»nd  was  immediately  LS  u  "?  W"'''!  in  Boston  in  ^99" 
mom.  Among  his  Ai  ^3*  V"""-  "''  Governor  Sa" 
of  h,s  several  deposi^.Thich  i.  Tn  I'T'i  ""'>  ~nlaini„Ss 
ftr  his  own  shari  of  the  Sv  Jh  "^  f "''  "  •"••  '««  ">  ^4  ve 
Peaco  with  those  in  power^fh  7t"  '"  ^"""""^  '«»'<'  "mdo  Ws 
lies,  however,  were  inEbte  ,1/  ■■'^'"nder.    The  authorr 

pr..«!oied  themselves  to  Mr  gZmT'^'      Y'""'  ""=«>  persons 
iroi.  ■  *    «"  was  not  executed,  .,3  MaXa*: 


1703-11.) 


NAVAL     HT  STOR  ¥ 


23 


Tho  year  that  Kidd  was  '•'^nt  to  Eiig'  if  d,  seven  pirates  were 
executed  in  Charleston,  South  (Jarolina,  thatcotist  '  nving  been 
much  infested  with  these  robbers. 

From  an  oorly  day  the  {lossession  of  Port  Royal  in  A  adie, 
appears  to  have  been  a  favourite  object  with  the  Zionists,  wst 
probably  from  the  ffreat  interest  they  felt  in  the  u  lerios.  VVe 
fiav  already  seen  that  expeditions  were  sent  again  this  plac^o, 
'in  ',h  >  earlier  wars,  while  we  now  find  no  less  thu  three  un- 
•  -tn  .1,  with  tho  same  object,  in  the  war  of  1702-12.  Tho 
^rst  of  these  expeditions  was  set  on  foot  in  1707,  being  almost 
purely  of  colonial  origin.  It  sailed  in  May,  in  twenty  hree 
transports  and  whale«boats,  under  tho  convoy  of  the  De^l  "ord 
ntan-of-war.  Captain  Stuckley,  accompanied  by  the  Province, 
palley.  Captain  Southack.  This  expedition  cflected  nothing. 
The  second  attempt  was  not  made  until  the  year  1709,  wh(!r» 
an  enterprise  on  a  larger  scale  was  planned.  According  to 
Trumbull,  the  colonies  east  of  Connecticut  were  ordered  to 
raise  1200  men  for  this  undertaking,  and  to  provide  transports, 
pilots,  and  provisions  for  three  months,  while  Connecticut  itself 
and  the  more  southern  provinces,  were  to  send  a  force  of  1500 
men,  by  land,  against  Montreal.  The  maritime  part  of  the 
expedition  was  abandoned,  aft'>i*  waiting  three  months  in  the 
j)ort  of  Boston  for  the  British  ships  that  were  to  convoy  it,  and 
to  aid  in  subduing  the  place.  The  attack  on  Montreal  was 
also  given  up,  for  want  of  the  expected  co-operation.  The 
third  attempt  was  made  in  1710,  when  a  Colonel  Nichol- 
son,  of  the  English  service,  was  entrusted  with  the  command. 
On  this  occasion  the  preparations  were  made  conjointly  by 
the  crown  and  the  provinces,  the  latter  furnishing  the  trans- 
ports and  several  cruisers.  The  fleet  consisted,  in  all,  of  36 
sail ;  viz.  three  fourth-rates,  two  fidh-rates,  five  frigates,  a 
bomb  ketch,  the  Province,  galley,  and  twenty-four  transports. 
In  these  vessels  were  embarked  a  regiment  of  marines,  and 
five  regiments  of  provincials.  The  expedition  sailed  from 
Boston  on  the  18th  of  September,  arrived  off  Port  Royal  on 
the  24th,  and  on  the  1st  of  October  the  place  submitted.  Its 
name  was  changed  to  Annapolis,  by  which  appellation  it  is  yet 
known.  Stimulated  by  this  success,  a  still  more  important 
attempt  was  made  in  1711,  against  the  French  possessions 
on  the  ban^8  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  England  now  appeared 
disposed  to  put  forth  her  power  in  earnest,  and  a  fleet  of  fif- 
teen sail,  twelve  of  which  were  sent  directly  from  England, 
and  three  of  which  had  been  stationed  on  the  coast,  were  put 


li 


24 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1711. 


' 


under  the  order;^  of  Vice-admiral  Sir  Hovenden  Walker,  for 
that  purpose.  In  this  fleet  were  several  ships  of  the  line,  and 
it  was  accompanied  by  forty  transports  and  six  store  vessels. 
Five  of  the  veteran  regiments  that  had  served  under  Marlbo- 
rough, were  sent  out  with  the  fleet,  and  two  regiments  raised 
in  New  England  being  added  to  them,  the  land  forces  amounted 
to  between  6000  and  7000  men. 

Afler  considerable  delay,  the  fleet  sailed  on  the  30th  of 
July,  1711,  when  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  ordered  a 
fast  to  be  observed  every  Thursday,  until  the  result  should  be 
known.  On  the  14th  of  August  the  ships  entered  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  on  the  18th  the  admiral,  in  order  to  collect  his 
transports,  put  into  the  bay  of  Gaspe.  Here  he  remained 
until  the  20th,  when  the  fleet  proceeded.  On  the  a  0th  the 
ships  were  ofl"  soundings,  out  of  sight  of  land,  and  enveloped 
in  a  fog,  with  a  gale  at  E.  S.  E.  The  fleet  now  brought  to 
with  the  ships'  heads  to  the  southward.  Notwithstanding  this 
precaution,  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  whole  of  them  were 
m  imminent  jeopardy  among  the  rocks,  islands,  and  currents 
of  the  north-shore,  which  was,  moreover,  a  lee  shore.  Some 
of  the  vessels  saved  themselves  by  anchoring,  among  which 
was  the  Edgar,  70,  the  admiral's  own  ship ;  but  eight  trans- 
ports were  lost,  together  with  a  thousand  people ;  and  the  ex- 
pedition was  abandoned.  The  admiral  now  dismissed  the  pro- 
vincial troops  and  vessels,  and  sailed  for  England  with  the  re- 
mainder of  the  fleet.  These  signal  disasters  led  to  loud  com- 
plaints and  to  bitter  recriminations  between  the  English  and 
the  American  oflicers.  To  the  latter  was  attributed  a  fatal 
loss  of  time,  in  raising  their  levies  and  making  other  prepara- 
tions, which  brought  the  expedition  too  late  in  the  season ;  and 
they  were  also  accused  of  furnishing  incompetent  pilots.  It  is 
probable  that  the  first  accusation  was  not  without  foundation, 
since  it  has  been  a  known  national  failing  to  defer  all  military 
preparations  to  the  latest  possible  moment,  from  the  day  the 
country  has  been  peopled ;  though  the  last  was  no  doubt  un- 
merited, as  there  could  be  no  motive  for  furnishing  any  other 
pilots  than  the  best  that  the  colonies  possessed.  On  the  part 
of  the  Americans,  the  admiral,  and  the  English  commanders 
in  general,  were  said  to  be  opinionated  and  indisposed  to  take 
advice ;  a  charge  quite  as  likely  to  be  true,  as  it  also  accords 
with  national  character,  and  more  especially  with  the  super- 
ciliousness with  which  the  English  were  knowi:  to  regard  the 
provincials.    The  admiral  threw  the  responsibility  of  having 


1717.1 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


25 


iry 
the 
m- 
lier 

irt 
frs 

ce 


hove-to  the  fleet  on  the  pilots,  who,  in  their  turn,  declared  that 
it  was  done  contrary  to  their  advice.  Some  French  pilots  are 
said,  by  Charlevoix,  to  have  also  warned  the  admiral  of  his 
danger,  but  he  equally  disregarded  their  information.  It  is  in 
favour  of  the  provincials,  that,  one  small  victualler  excepted, 
none  of  their  own  vessels  were  lost,  and  that  the  crew  of  this 
victualler  was  saved.  Many  of  the  pilots  were  sent  to  Eng- 
land to  be  examined  before  the  Privy  Council,  but  no  investi- 
gation into  the  affair  took  place.  The  loss  of  the  admiral's 
papers  is  thought  to  have  put  an  end  to  the  contemplated  in- 
quiry, the  Edgar  having  been  blown  up,  by  accident,  at  Ply- 
mouth, shortly  afler  her  return,  by  which  event  400  men  lost 
their  lives ;  thus  terminating  a  most  disastrous  expedition  by  a 
dire  calamity.  It  ought  to  be  mentioned,  that  the  colonies  met 
the  charge  of  delay,  by  showing  that  the  orders  to  raise  troops, 
and  to  make  the  other  requisite  preparations,  were  received 
only  sixteen  days  before  Sir  Hovenden  Walker  arrived  in  port 
with  his  fleet. 

The  first  negro  slaves  brought  into  the  country,  were  landed 
from  a  Dutch  man-of-war,  at  James  Town,  in  1620.*  Where 
these  poor  Africans  were  obtained  is  not  now  known,  but  they 
were  most  probably  the  victims  of  perfidy.  The  increase 
among  the  blacks  was  very  slow,  however ;  for  thirty  years 
later  the  whites  of  Virginia  were  said  to  outnumber  the  ner 
groes,  in  the  proportion  of  fifly  to  one ;  and  even  when  the 
colony  had  been  settled  seventy  years,  the  slaves  were  not  at 
all  numerous.! 

The  first  American  vessel  engaged  in  the  slave-trade,  of 
which  we  have  any  account,  sailed  from  Boston,  for  the  coast 
of  Guinea,  in  1645,  having  been  fitted  out  by  Thomas  Keyser 
and  James  Smith.:|:  The  last  of  these  worthies  was  a  member 
of  the  church.  To  the  credit  of  the  people  of  Boston,  their 
sense  of  right  revolted  at  the  act,  the  parties  concerned  were 
arraigned,  and  the  slaves  were  ordered  to  be  restored  to  their 
native  country  at  the  public  expense. 

We  turn  with  satisfaction  to  the  whale-fisheries.  The  com- 
mencement of  this  manly,  lucrative,  and  hardy  pursuit,  dates 
from  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  country.  The  whale 
frequenting  the  American  seas  at  that  time,  the  people  of  the 
coasts  kept  boats,  organized  themselves  into  gangs,  and  when- 
ever a  spout  was  seen,  they  would  launch  in  pursuit.     This 


•  Beverly. 
3 


tB&acroft. 


tibid. 


mmmmmmtm 


,  t 


26 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1739-44. 


iTegular  system  prevailed  many  years,  until  sloops,  and  other 
small  craft,  began  to  be  employed  in  the  offing.  These  vessels 
would  range  the  coast,  as  far  south  as  the  West  Indies,  and 
north  to  Davis's  Straits.  They  occasionally  crossed  to  the 
Azores,  where  a  rich  booty  was  sometimes  obtained  in  the 
spermaceti. 

The  whale-fishery  on  a  larger  scale,  dates  from  about  the 
middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  when  Massachusetts  in  par- 
ticular, engaged  extensively  in  the  enterprise.  This  colony 
alone  is  said  to  have  had  no  less  than  three  hundred  vessels 
employed  in  the  northern  and  southern  whale-fisheries,  previ- 
ously to  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Her  vessels  led  the  way 
to  the  South  Atlantic,  to  the  African  coast,  and  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

After  the  war  which  was  terminated  by  the  peace  of  Utrecht, 
most  of  the  maritime  colonies  employed  a  species  of  guarda- 
costas,  small  armed  vessels,  that  were  maintained  for  the  sup- 
pression of  piracies,  and  for  the  general  protection  of  the 
coasts.  Some  of  these  vessels  were  commanded  by  young 
officers,  who  afterwards  rose  to  more  or  less  distinction,  either 
at  home,  or  in  the  British  service.  Among  others  was  Lieu- 
tenant Wooster,  afterwards  Captain  Wooster,  who  commanded 
the  armed  vessel  employed  by  Massachusetts.  This  gentleman 
was  subsequently  killed  at  Danbury,  during  the  Revolution, 
holding  the  rank  of  a  Brigadier-General  in  the  militia  of  his 
native  state. 

England  declared  war,  in  1739,  against  Spain,  and  the 
American  Colonies  became  the  seat  of  many  of  her  prepara- 
tions and  levies.  Natives  of  the  country  were  much  employed 
in  the  different  expeditions,  and  it  is  well  known  that  the  estate 
which  has  since  acquired  so  much  celebrity  on  account  of  its 
having  been  the  property  of  Washington,  obtained  the  appella- 
tion of  Mount  Vernon  from  the  circumstance  that  an  elder 
brother,  from  whom  that  great  man  inherited  it,  had  served  in 
the  celebrated  attack  against  Carthagena,  under  the  admiral  of 
that  name.  In  1741,  the  colonies  supplied  many  of  the  trans- 
ports sent  against  Cuba. 

The  year  1744  became  memorable  in  the  history  of  the 
colonies,  by  another  declaration  of  war  against  France.  By 
this  time  the  importance  of  all  the  American  provinces,  whether 
English,  French,  or  Spanish,  was  certain  to  render  them,  more 
or  less,  the  seat  of  the  contests ;  and  the  great  European  states 
interested,  were  now  found  seriously  exhibiting  their  power  in 


fSBmmmiimmmt"-  -^' ■»■'■'""■ 


1744-45.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


27 


per 
[re 
les 
|in 


i 


the  Western  hemisphere.  The  short  duration  of  the  war,  pro- 
bably, alone  prevented  America  from  being  the  scene  of  those 
severe  struggles  that  were  deferred  a  few  years  by  the  peace 
of  Aix  la  Chapelle.  Short  as  was  the  contest,  however,  it  af- 
forded the  colonists  an  opportunity  of  manifesting  both  their 
spirit  and  their  resources,  by  an  expedition  against  Louis- 
biourg. 

The  French  had  long  been  aware  of  the  importance  of  a 
port  that  commanded  the  entrance  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  as 
Gibraltar  commands  the  approach  to  the  Mediterranean,  and 
vast  sums  of  money  had  been  expended  on  the  fortifications  of 
Louisbourg.  It  is  said  that  no  less^than  $6,000,000  were  ap- 
propriated to  this  object,  and  a  quarter  of  a  century  had  been 
consumed  in  the  preparations.  The  place  was  so  formidable 
as  to  have  been  termed  a  second  Dunkirk.  So  conscious  had 
Massachusetts  become  of  her  strength,  however,  that  no  sooner 
was  the  declaration  of  war  known,  than  Governor  Shirley  laid 
propositions  before  the  English  ministry  and  the  colonial  legis- 
lature, for  the  reduction  of  this  great  naval  and  military  sta- 
tion. The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  at  first,  was  afraid 
to  embark  in  so  serious  an  enterprise  without  assurances  of 
support  from  home,  as  England  was  then  affectionately  termed, 
but  the  people  of  the  colony  getting  a  knowledge  of  the 
Governor's  wishes,  seconded  him  so  strongly  with  petitions, 
that  the  measure  was  finally  carried  by  a  majority  of  one. 
Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  and  New  Hampshire  lent  their  aid, 
and  by  the  25th  of  March,  1745,  the  expedition  was  ready  to 
sail.  Not  a  British  soldier  was  employed,  and  when  the  fleet 
left  Boston,  it  was  with  very  uncertain  hopes  of  being  supported 
by  any  of  the  King's  ships. 

The  land  forces,  all  levies  of  New  England,  no  other  colony 
joining  in  the  enterprise,  were  led  by  Colonel  William  Pep- 
perel,  of  Kittery,  in  Maine,  and  the  fleet  was  commanded  by 
Captain  Edward  Tyng,  of  the  Massachusetts  colonial  marine. 
The  naval  part  of  these  forces  consisted  principally  of  vessels 
equipped,  or  hired,  for  this  especial  service.  There  appear  to 
have  been  twelve  in  all,  besides  the  transports,  the  largest  car- 
rying but  20  guns.  The  land  forces  amounted  to  4070  men. 
From  the  various  and  contradictory  accounts  of  this  arma- 
ment, we  gather  the  following  list  of  the  colonial  cruisers  en- 
gaged in  the  expedition,  viz :  Ships,  Massachusetts,  20,  Com- 
modore Tyng  ;  Coesar,  20,  Captain  Snelling ;  Snows,  Shirley, 
20,  Captain  Rouse  ;  Prince  of  Orange,  16,  Captain  Smcthurst ; 


"•(."T'n-XT'  "l   "'f^rf^^vv^^-  ' 


28 


NAVAL     HISTOHY 


[1745 


Brig  Boston  Packet,  16,  Captain  Fletcher;  and  Sloops, , 

12,  Donahue ; ,  8,  Saunders ;  ,  Bosch ;  a  ship  hired 

by  Rhode  Island,  20,  Captain  Griffon,  and  two  vessels  of  16 
guns  each,  belonging  to  Connecticut. 

The  fleet  reached  Canscau  on  the  4th  of  April,  where  it  re- 
mained some  weeks,  to  be  joined  by  the  levies  of  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Connecticut,  as  well  as  to  allow  time  for  the  ice  to 
dissolve  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Capo  Breton.  For  the  first 
time,  probably,  in  the  history  of  the  colonies,  large  military 
preparations  had  been  made  in  season,  and  the  result  triumph- 
antly showed  the  benefit  of  the  unwonted  alacrity.  Here 
Com.  Warren,  of  the  British  navy,  joined  the  expedition,  with  a 
part  of  the  squadron  from  the  West- Indies,  in  which  seas,  and  on 
the  American  coast,  he  had  long  commanded.  This  excellent 
and  efficient  officer,  than  whom  there  was  not  a  braver  in  the 
British  marine,  brought  with  him  the  Superb,  60,  and  three 
ships  of  forty  guns ;  his  broad  pennant  flying  in  the  former. 
Of  course,  he  assumed  the  command  of  the  naval  operations, 
though  great  distrust  appears  to  have  existed  between  him  and 
Colonel  Pepperel  to  the  last.  After  a  conference  with  the 
latter,  he  went  off  Louisbourg,  which  he  blockaded. 

Louisbourg  was  invested  by  land  on  the  30th  of  April,  and 
after  a  vigorous  siege  of  forty -seven  days,  during  which  time 
a  severe  cannonade  was  carried  on,  the  place  submitted.  The 
French  flags  were  kept  flying  for  some  time  after  the  surrender, 
by  which  ruse  two  East  Indiamen  and  a  South  Sea  ship,  all 
richly  laden,  were  decoyed  into  the  mouth  of  the  harbour  and 
captured.  The  value  of  these  three  vessels  has  been  estimated 
as  high  as  $3,000,000. 

While  cruising  off  the  port.  Commodore  Warren  captured 
the  French  man-of-war.  Vigilant,  60,  with  troops  and  supplies 
for  the  garrison.  This  important  event,  no  doubt,  was  of  great 
moment  to  the  result  of  the  siege. 

Although  the  naval  part  of  the  colonial  expedition  could 
have  been  of  no  great  account  after  the  arrival  of  Commodore 
Warren,  it  took  the  sea  with  creditable  vigour,  as  soon  as 
Louisbourg  had  submitted.  The  Shirley>  Galley,  20,  Captain 
Rouse,  or  as  the  vessel  is  sometimes  called,  the  Snow,  Shirley, 
captured  eight  French  vessels,  and,  in  one  instance,  she  brought 
in  two,  taken  after  an  obstinate  and  gallant  resistance.  For 
this  exploit,  that  officer  received  the  commission  of  a  captain 
in  the  King's  service. 

No  less  than  400  privateers  ar«?  said  to  have  been  out  from 


■■WaMIWMMI 


1749-50.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


29 


the  colonies  in  this  war,  but  the  number  is  so  incredible  as  to 
give  rise  to  the  conjecture  that  the  estimate  includes  letters  of 
marque  and  boats  on  the  coast.  Nothing  worthy  of  much 
notice  occurred  in  America,  during  this  short  war,  besides  the 
capture  of  Louisbourg,  and  this  place  was  restored  to  the 
French  at  the  peace. 


CHAPTER  III. 


lid 

pre 

as 

jin 

(y. 

[ht 

3r 

lin 


The  peace  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  found  the  navigation  of  the 
American  colonies  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.  More  than 
a  century  had  elapsed  since  the  settlements  had  passed  the 
ordeal  of  their  infant  struggles,  and  although  distant  from  each 
other,  and  labouring  under  the  disadvantages  of  a  scattered 
population,  they  were  fast  rising  to  the  dignity  and  power  of 
states.  The  necessity  of  maintaining  all  their  more  important 
communications  by  water,  had  a  direct  tendency  to  encourage 
a  disposition  to  the  sea,  and,  although  without  a  regular  war- 
like marine,  their  mercantile  toimage  probably  equalled  that 
of  thfe  mother  country,  when  considered  in  reference  to  popu- 
lation. The  number  of  sculs  in  all  the  provinces,  at  that 
period,  did  not  much  exceed  a  million,  if  the  Indians  be  excluded 
from  the  computation.  Of  the  tonnage  it  is  not  easy  tv.  speak 
with  accuracy,  though  wo  possess  sufficient  authority  by  which 
to  form  some  general  estimates.  The  year  of  the  peace,  500 
vessels  are  said  to  have  cleared  from  the  single  port  of  Boston, 
and  430  to  have  entered  ;  this  was  exclusively  of  coasters  and 
fishing  vessels.  At  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  there  were 
121  clearances,  and  73  entries,  besides  200  coasting  vessels  in 
regular  employment.  The  trade  of  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia was  less  than  that  of  Boston,  but  still  respectable.  Thus 
in  1749,  or  the  year  succeeding  that  of  the  peace,  the  clear- 
ances at  Philadelphia  were  291,  and  the  entries  303  ;  while 
Boston,  during  the  same  period,  had  504  clearances,  and  489 
entries.  In  1750,  a  year  in  which  the  navigation  had  sensibly 
diminished,  the  clearances  of  the  former  port  were  286,  and 
the  entries  232.  Many  ports,  which  have  since  lost  most  of 
their  navigation,  then  enjoyed  a  respectable  trade,  among 
3* 


30 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1750-69. 


.1 


which  may  bo  mvutionoU  Newport,  Uliudo  Island,  and  Porth 
Atnbuy,  >Jcw  Jursuy. 

IJ|)  to  this  |)uri(>d,  tho  common  white  oak  of  tho  foroHt  was 
thti  wood  principally  UHud  in  nuvul  constnictionn,  though  the 
chestnut  wns  uIho  lound  sorvicoablo  in  particular  partH  of  tho 
frutnas.  liut  a  m^w  urti  in  ohip-building  was  at  hand,  through 
tho  introduction  of  u  wood  that  greatly  abounded  in  tho  more 
southern  maritiuK'  regions  of  liritish  America.  In  1750,  a 
vesaol  culled  tho  Live  Oak  arrived  in  C'harleston,  South  Caro- 
lina, having  beini  built  of  thu  invaluable  tiuil)or  namrd,  which 
was  now  diHcovered  to  1k)  one  of  the  best  materials  for  naval 
architecture,  known.  The  Live  Oak  is  said  to  have  been  tho 
first  vessel  in  which  this  wood  was  over  used. 

The  iraiKjuillity  estallivlicd  by  tho  treaty  of  Aix  la  Clmpclle, 
like  that  protluced  by  tho  jjcaco  of  Utrecht,  was  of  short  ct)n- 
tinuance.  Disputes  early  commenced  between  the  English  and 
French  provinces,  in  relation  to  their  bouiiduries ;  anil  an  in- 
Umd  war  actually  bi^oko  out  between  them  in  17.'j4,  though  tho 
peace  of  Europe  was  not  immediately  disturbtnl  by  this  remote 
and  local  contest.  This  singular  slut(5  of  things  continued 
throughout  1755,  and  tho  canipuign  of  that  year  was  one  of 
the  most  im|)ortant  that  had  then  occurrt^d  on  tlio  American 
continent.  Hoth  nations  n^inforced  their  troops  from  I'iurope, 
and  strong  squatlrons  weiv  employctl  to  protect  the  convoys ; 
but  there  being  no  technical  hostilities,  conunissions  were  not 
issued  to  letters  of  marque  and  privateers.  After  nmny  in- 
ell<H5tual  atteuipts  at  an  accommodation,  however,  the  King  of 
Cireat  Britain  made  a  formal  declaration  of  war  on  tho  17th  of 
May,  1751J. 

Such  was  the  conmieuccment  of  the  struggle  that  in  .  imorica 
is  familiarly  called  "  tho  old  French  war."  Although  this 
contest  was  of  the  last  importance  to  the  colonies,  by  driving 
tho  Fi"ench  fit)m  their  part  of  the  continent,  and  by  heaving  the 
savagi^s  without  an  ally,  its  events  were  n.ore  properly  con- 
necled  with  the  movements  of  armies,  than  with  any  naval 
operations  of  magnitude,  so  far  us  the  latter  belong  to  the 
sid)ject  of  this  work.  The  k^ginning  of  the  war  was  disas- 
tmus ;  but  in  the  end,  the  celebrated  Earl  of  Chatham  suc- 
cixnled  in  inlusing  a  jwrtion  of  his  own  energy  into  the  councils 
of  the  King,  and  Irom  that  moment  the  most  brilliant  success 
i-ewardwi  his  ctlbrts. 

Peace  was  signed  on  the  10th  of  February,  1763,  and  from 
that  day  France  ceased  to  claim  any  portion  of  tho  American 


i 


1703-73.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


31 


Continent  north  of  Louisiana,  with  the  exception  of  two  insig- 
nificant fishing  stations,  near  the  outlet  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
The  conquests  of  this  war  were  an  incipient  step  towards  the 
eventual  independence  of  the  colonies,  since  the  lattdr  found 
themselves  without  any  enemy  in  their  vicinity,  to  cause  them 
to  lean  on  England  for  succour,  or  to  divert  their  policy  from 
those  domestic  measures  which  were  more  immediately  con- 
nected with  their  internal  prosperity. 

At  the  close  of  this  great  contest,  the  original  American 
colonies,  or  those  which  have  since  constituted  the  United 
States,  without  including  the  Floridas  and  Louisiana,  are  sup- 
posed to  have  contained  more  than  1,200,000  souls,  exclusively 
of  Indians.  (Censuses  were  actually  taken  in  one  or  two  of  the 
provinces.  That  of  Massachusetts  gave  a  return  a  little  ex- 
ceeding 245,000,  including  5000  people  of  colour.  That  of 
Maryland,  taken  in  1765,  gave  a  total  of  107,208  whites,  a 
number  considerably  exceeding  the  estimates  after  the  peace. 

Immediately  after  the  peace  of  1763,  commenced  that  legis- 
lative usurpation  on  the  part  of  the  mother  country,  which 
twenty  years  later  terminated  in  the  independence  of  the  colo- 
nics. 

Among  the  offensive  measures  adopted  by  parliament  was  a 
duty  on  stamps,  and  another  on  tea.  By  the  first,  vessels 
could  not  regularly  proceed  to  sea,  unless  furnished  with  the 
required  stamps ;  yet  so  strong  was  the  opposition,  that  ships 
actually  ventured  on  the  ocean  without  the  necessary  papers  ; 
nor  is  it  known  that  any  serious  consequences  resulted 
from  so  bold  a  step.  In  the  end,  the  stamp-officers  having 
resigned,  and  no  one  being  willing  to  incur  the  odium  of  filling 
their  places,  the  courts  of  justice  themselves  transacted  busi- 
ness without  regard  to  those  forms  that  the  acts  of  parliament 
had  rendered  necessary.  This  tax  was  finally  abandoned,  and 
substitutes  were  sought,  that  were  believed  to  be  more  manage- 
able. 

Fresh  attempts  to  enforce  the  navigation  act,  which  had 
virtually  become  a  dead  letter,  were  made  in  1768,  and  a  sloop 
from  Madeira,  loaded  witlf  wine,  was  actually  seized  in  Boston, 
and  placed  under  the  guns  of  the  Romney  man-of-war.  A 
mob  followed,  and  the  public  officers  were  compelled  to  seek 
protection  in  the  castle. 

One  of  the  first  overt  acts  of  resistance  that  took  place  in 
this  celebrated  struggle,  occurred  in  1772,  in  the  waters  of 
Rhode  Island.     A  vessel  of  war  had  been  stationed  on  the  coast 


83 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1772-73. 


to  enforce  the  laws,  and  a  small  schooner,  called  the  Gaspe, 
with  a  light  armament  and  twenty-seven  men,  was  employed 
as  a  tender,  to  run  into  the  shallow  waters  of  that  coast.  On  the 
17th  of  June,  1772,  a  Providence  packet,  that  plied  between 
New  York  and  Rhode  Island,  named  the  Hannah,  and  com- 
manded by  a  Captain  Linzee,  hove  in  sight  of  the  man-of-war, 
on  her  passage  up  the  bay.  The  Hannah  was  ordered  to 
bring  to,  in  order  to  be  examined ;  but  her  master  refused  to 
comply ;  and  being  favoured  by  a  fresh  southerly  breeze,  that 
was  fast  sweeping  him  out  of  gunshot,  the  Gaspe  was  signalled 
to  follow.  The  chase  continued  for  five-and-twenty  miles, 
under  a  press  of  sail,  when  the  Hannah  coming  up  with  a  bar, 
with  which  her  master  was  familiar,  and  drawing  less  water 
than  the  schooner.  Captain  Linzee  led  the  latter  on  a  shoal, 
where  she  stuck.  The  tide  falling,  the  Gaspe  sewed,  and  was 
not  in  a  condition  to  be  removed  for  several  hours. 

The  news  of  the  chase  was  circulated  on  the  arrival  of  the 
Hannah  at  Providence.  A  strong  feeling  was  excited  among 
the  population,  and  towards  evening  the  town  drummer  ap- 
peared in  the  streets,  assembling  the  people.  A  crowd  being 
collected,  the  drummer  led  his  followers  in  front  of  a  shed, 
when  a  man  disguised  as  an  Indian  suddenly  appeared  on  the 
toof,  and  proclaimed  a  secret  expedition  for  that  night,  inviting 
all  of  "  stout  hearts  "  to  assemble  on  the  wharf,  precisely  at 
nine,  disguised  like  himself.  At  the  appointed  hour,  most  of 
the  men  in  the  place  collected  at  the  spot  designated,  when 
sixty-four  were  selected  for  the  undertaking  that  was  in  view. 

This  party  embarked  in  eight  of  the  launches  of  the  different 
vessels  lying  at  the  wharves,  and  taking  with  them  a  quantity 
of  round  paving-stones,  they  pulled  down  the  river  in  a  body. 
The  commander  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  Captain  Whipple, 
who  afterwards  held  a  commission  in  the  service  of  Congress, 
but  none  of  the  names  were  publicly  mentioned  at  the  time. 
On  nearing  the  Gaspe,  about  two  in  the  morning,  the  boats 
were  hailed  by  a  sentinel  on  deck.  This  man  was  driven  be- 
low by  a  volley  of  stones.  The  commander  of  the  Gaspe  now 
appeared,  and  ordering  the  boats  otf,  he  fired  a  pistol  at  them. 
This  discharge  was  returned  from  a  musket,  and  the  officer 
was  shot  through  the  thigh.  By  this  time,  the  crew  of  the 
Gaspe  had  assembled,  and  the  party  froq  Providence  boarded. 
The  conflict  was  short,  the  schooner's  people  being  knocked 
down  and  secured.  All  on  board  were  put  into  the  boats,  and 
the  Gaspe  was  set  on  fire.     Towards  morning,  she  blew  up. 


1773.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


33 


d 


This  bold  step  naturally  excited  great  indignation  in  tho 
British  officers,  and  all  possible  means  were  taken  to  discover 
the  offenders.  The  Government  at  home  offered  a  reward  of 
£1000  sterling  for  the  leader,  and  £500  to  any  person  who 
would  discover  tho  other  parties,  with  tho  promise  of  a  pardon 
should  the  informer  be  an  accomplice.  But  the  feeling  of  the 
times  was  too  high  for  the  ordinary  means  of  detection,  no 
evidence  having  ever  been  obtained  sufficient  even  to  arraign 
a  solitary  individual,  notwithstanding  a  Commission  of  Inquiry, 
under  the  Great  Sef?  of  England,  sat  with  that  object,  from 
January  to  June,  during  the  year  1773. 

Although  this  affair  led  to  no  immediate  results,  it  doubtless 
had  its  influence  in  v/idening  the  breach  between  the  opposii^g 
parties,  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  in  it  was  shed  the  first 
blood  that  flowed  in  the  struggle  for  American  Independence ; 
the  whole  transaction  being  as  direct  a  resistance  to  oppression, 
as  the  subsequb      and  better  known  fight  at  Lexington. 

The  year  17'i  3  is  memorable  in  American  history,  for  tho 
resistance  made  by  the  colonists  to  the  duty  on  tea.  By  means 
of  some  management  on  the  part  of  the  British  ministry,  in 
permitting  the  East  India  Company  to  export  their  teas  free  of 
charges,  it  was  possible  to  sell  the  article  at  a  lower  rate  in 
America,  subject  to  the  duty,  than  it  could  have  been  sold  pre- 
viously to  the  imposition  of  the  tax.  Fancying  that  this  cir- 
cumstance would  favour  the  views  of  all  the  parties  in  Europe, 
for  the  warehouses  of  the  company  were  glutted  in  conse- 
quence of  the  system  of  non-importation  adopted  by  the  colo- 
nists, several  cargoes  were  sent  to  different  ports,  including 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Charleston  and  Boston.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  the  two  former  places  compelled  the  ships  to  return  to 
London,  without  unloading,  while  the  people  of  Charleston 
caused  their  vessel  to  be  discharged,  and  the  tea  to  be  stored 
in  damp  cellars,  where  it  finally  spoiled. 

Three  vessels  loaded  with  the  offensive  article  had  been  sent 
to  Boston,  and  the  inhabitants  succeeded  in  persuading  the  ship- 
masters to  consent  to  return  to  London,  without  discharging, 
but  the  consignees  refused  to  release  them  from  their  charter- 
parties,  while  the  authorities  denied  the  necessary  clearances. 
The  Governor  even  withheld  the  permit  necessary  to  pass  the 
fort.  This  conduct  produced  great  excitement,  and  prepara- 
tions were  made  to  destroy  the  tea,  under  an  apprehension  that 
it  might  be  gradually  and  clandestinely  landed.  Suddenly,  in 
the  dusk  of  the  evening,  a  party  disguised  as  Indians,  and 


34 


NAVAL     HI8TORY. 


^hich  has  been  differentlv  rnn  .  *  ^'"'"''' 

broker,  open,  „„a  ,h„  cb^^'^"'''""^'"^-    The  halchi  „e«^ 

h.s  remote  day,  to  nscer tat  alfth'  '^"^'* ''  "^'^  ^a«y  ^v'en  at 

situation  they  occupied.  becauseTh J  ^k^T?  themselves  in  the 

thnl^'  i^'P^^^'  that  served  to  uni-    °'^^"'^^''°n  «nd  con. 
°        "^  """'  ™"  '""'  --  ""o™  'o  beltt„l*SwXd 


fei 


•  m 


■  i|iinnf  ,'j  mwmifii^ 


1774.J 


NAVAL      HISTORY 


as 


oun- 

ider- 

lies; 

by 

of 

by 

the 

of 

to 
tm, 
|ch 

^r- 
in- 
|in 


been  pnsscd  in  England  prohibiting  tho  exportation  of  arms 
and  military  supplies  to  America ;  and  the  cannon  and  powdrr 
of  the  Crown  were  seized  at  various  points,  either  by  tho  local 
governments,  or  by  private  individuals.  Twenty-six  guns,  of 
ditferent  calibres,  were  found  on  Fort  Island  and  curried  to 
Providence,  and  the  people  of  Rhode  Island  are  said  to  have 
got  possession,  in  tho  whole,  of  quite  forty  guns,  by  these  bold 
measures.  At  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  a  body  of  400 
men  proceeded  to  the  castle,  at  tho  harbour's  mouth,  kept  tho 
garrison  in  check,  and  breaking  open  the  magazine,  they  car- 
ried off  one  hundred  barrels  of  powder. 

While  moans  like  these  were  used  to  ^obtain  the  necessary 
military  equipments,  provisions,  as  well  as  arms,  were  collect- 
ed in  different  parts  of  tho  country,  in  readiness  for  a  cam- 
paign. Among  other  dep6ts  of  this  nature,  one  had  been  made 
at  Concord,  a  small  town  at  tho  distance  of  eighteen  miles 
from  Boston,  and  General  Gage,  who  commanded  the  British 
forces  in  America,  deemed  it  essential  that  it  should  be  destroy- 
ed. A  strong  detachment  was  sent  on  this  service,  and  it  fell 
in  with  a  small  body  of  American  minute-men  at  Lexington. 
These  militia  were  dispersed  by  a  volley,  in  which  a  few  men 
were  killed.  This  affair  has  always  been  considered  the  com- 
mencement of  the  War  of  the  Revolution ;  and  justly,  as  the 
hostilities  which  were  then  commenced  did  not  cease,  until  the 
Independence  of  the  Colonies  was  acknowledged  by  Treaty. 
The  British  proceeded  to  Concord,  where  they  eflfected  their 
object,  though  not  without  resistance.  The  people  now  began 
to  collect  in  force,  and  as  soon  as  the  British  resumed  their 
march,  on  the  return  to  Boston,  they  were  assailed  by  the 
former  from  behind  the  walls  and  fences.  So  vigorously  were 
the  troops  pressed  on  this  occasion,  that  it  is  thought  they  must 
have  surrendered,  had  they  not  been  met  by  a  strong  rein- 
forcement, commanded  by  Lord  Percy,  which  enabled  them 
to  halt  and  recover  their  breath.  As  soon  as  the  march  was 
resumed,  however,  the  provincials  renewed  the  attack,  and  the 
British  did  not  succeed  in  gaining  a  place  of  security,  until 
they  reached  Charlestown  neck.  In  this  affair  the  loss  of  the 
Americans  has  been  ascertained  to  have  amounted  to  50  killed, 
34  wounded,  and  4  missing ;  that  of  the  British  to  73  killed, 
174  wounded,  and  26  prisoners. 

The  intelligence  of  this  important  event  circulated  like  a 
raging  fire  throughout  the  country,  and  it  was  everywhere 
received  as  a  call  to  battle.    Reserve  was  thrown  aside ;  the 


36 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1775. 


population  fl«<w  to  arms,  and  the  military  stores  of  the  Crown 
were  seized  wherever  they  could  bo  found.  An  irregular  body 
of  20,000  men  appeared  before  Boston,  with  incredible  rapid- 
ity, confming  the  royal  army  to  the  occupation  of  the  town, 
with  a  view  to  reduce  their  enemies  to  still  narrower  limits, 
Breed*s  Hill,  a  height  that  commands  the  inner  harbour  of 
Boston,  was  seized,  and  a  redoubt  commenced.  This  step 
brought  on  the  combat  that  has  since  been  termed  the  Battle 
of  Bunker's  Hill,  Dne  of  the  most  extraordinary  conflicts  of 
modern  times,  and  which  may  bo  said  to  have  given  birth  to 
American  Independence.  Washington  was  appointed  Com- 
mander-in-Chief by  the  Congress  of  the  United  Colonies,  and 
the  war  commenced  under  the  usual  laws  of  civilised  nations, 
with  the  exception  of  the  formality  of  a  declaration. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


( 


The  thirteen  United  Colonies  possessed  but  scanty  means 
to  contend  with  a  power  like  that  of  Britain.  Their  popula- 
lion  was  less  than  three  millions,  their  pecuniary  resources 
were  of  no  great  amount,  and  their  military  preparations  in- 
significant. But  the  Are  of  true  patriotism  had  been  kindled, 
and  that  which  in  other  nations  is  effected  by  means  of  labour- 
ed combinations  and  political  management,  the  people  of  Ame- 
rica were  bent  on  doing  of  their  own  voluntary  motion  and 
united  efforts.  The  colonies  of  New  England,  in  particular, 
which  possessed  a  population  trained  to  liberty ;  hardy,  sim- 
ple, ingenious  and  brave ;  rose  as  it  might  be  to  a  man ;  and 
as  this  was  the  part  of  the  country  in  which  the  flame  broke 
out,  thither  we  must  first  direct  our  attention  in  order  to  find 
the  earliest  evidences  of  its  intensity. 

On  the  ocean,  the  preparations  for  the  struggle  were  even 
smaller  than  those  which  had  been  made  on  the  land.  Con- 
gress had  done  nothing,  and  the  provisions  for  naval  defence 
which,  from  time  to  time,  had  existed  among  the  different  col- 
onies, bad  never  amounted  to  more  than  maintaining  a  few 
guarda-costas,  or  to  the  temporary  exertions  of  an  expedition. 
As  soon  as  the  struggle  commenced  in  earnest,  however,  the 


1775.1 


NAVAL     IIISTaRf* 


31' 


hnbits  of  the  [icoplc,  thoir  aptitude  for  sea  service,  and  the  ad- 
vantages  of  lM)th  a  public  and  a  private  nature,  that  were  to 
be  obtained  froi  i  succcsstul  cruising,  induced  thousands  to  turn 
longing  eyes  to  an  element  that  promised  so  many  flattering 
results.  Nothing  but  the  caution  of  Congress,  which  body  was 
ln(]ispoaed  at  first  to  oct  ns  if  general  warfare,  instead  of  d 
redress  of  grievances,  was  its  object,  prevented  a  rushing  to- 
wards the  private  cruisers,  that  would  probably  have  given  the 
commerce  of  England  a  heavier  and  more  sudden  blow,  thon 
it  hud  ever  yet  received.  But  a  difiercnt  policy  was  pursued, 
and  the  orders  to  capture,  first  issued,  were  confined  to  vessels 
bringing  stores  and  supplies  to  the  British  forces  in  America. 
It  was  as  late  as  the  10th  of  Nov.  1775,  before  Massachusetts, 
the  colony  which  was  the  seat  of  war,  and  which  may  be  said 
to  have  token  the  lead  in  the  revolt,  established  courts  of  ad- 
miralty, and  enacted  laws  for  the  encouragement  of  nautical 
enterprises.  Washington  followed  this  example  by  granting 
commissions  to  vessels  to  cruise  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  with 
the  object  already  stated.  But  a  due  examination  of  the  prdc- 
tical  measures  of  that  day,  will  render  it  necessarv  to  separate 
the  subject  into  three  branches ;  viz.  one  that  refers  solely  to 
the  exertions  of  private,  and  frequently  of  unauthorized  ad- 
ventures ;  another  that  shall  speak  of  tnc  proceedings  of  the 
diflferent  colonies ;  and  a  third,  which  more  properly  comprises 
the  theme  of  this  work,  that  shall  refer  to  the  policy  pursued 
by  Congress,  in  behalf  of  the  entire  nation.  In  making  these 
distinctions,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  use  brevity,  as  but  few 
authorities  now  exist,  and  because  the  sameness  and  unimport- 
ance of  many  of  the  details  deprive  the  subject  of  any  interest 
beyond  that  which  is  connected  with  a  proper  understanding 
of  the  true  condition  of  the  country. 

The  first  nautical  enterprise  that  succeeded  the  battle  ef 
Lexington,  was  one  purely  of  private  adventure.  The  intel- 
ligence of  this  conflict  was  brought  to  Machios  in  Maihe,  ori 
Saturday,  the  9th  of  May,  1776.  An  armed  schooner  in  the 
service  of  the  crown,  called  the  Margaretta,  was  lying  in  port, 
with  two  sloops  under  her  convoy,  that  were  loading  with  lum- 
ber on  behalf  of  the  King's  government.  The  bearers  of  th6 
news  were  enjoined  to  be  silent,  a  plan  to  capture  the  Marga- 
retta having  been  immediately  projected  among  some  of  the 
more  spirited  of  the  inhabitants.  The  next  day  being  Sunday, 
it  was  hoped  that  the  officers  of  the  schooner  might  be  seized 
while  in  church,  but  the  scheme  failed  in  consequence  of  the 


I 


f 


38 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1775. 


precipitation  of  some  engaged.  Captain  Moore,  who  com- 
manded the  Margaretta,  saw  the  assailants,  and,  with  his  offi- 
cers, escaped  through  the  windows  of  the  church  to  the  shore, 
where  they  were  protected  by  the  guns  of  their  vessel.  The 
alarm  was  now  taken,  springs  were  got  on  the  Margaretta's 
cables,  and  a  few  harmless  shot  were  fired  over  the  town,  by 
way  of  intimidation.  After  a  little  delay,  however,  the  schooner 
dropped  down  below  the  town,  to  a  distance  exceeding  a  league. 
Here  she  was  followed,  summoned  to  surrender,  and  fired  on 
from  a  high  bank,  which  her  own  shot  could  not  reach.  The 
Margaretta  again  weighed,  and  running  into  the  bay,  at  the 
confluence  of  the  two  rivers,  anc|aored. 

The  following  morning,  which  was  Monday,  the  11th  of 
May,  four  young  men  took  possession  of  one  of  the  lumber 
sloops,  and  bringing  her  alongside  of  a  wharf,  they  gave  three 
cheers  as  a  signal  for  volunteers.  On  explaining  that  their 
intentions  were  to  make  an  attack  on  the  Margaretta,  a  party 
of  about  thirty-five  athletic  men  was  soon  collected.  Arming 
themselves  with  fire-arms,  pitchforks,  and  axes,  and  throwing 
a  small  stock  of  provisions  into  the  sloop,  these  spirited  free- 
men got  under  way,  with  a  light  breeze  at  northwest.  When 
the  Margaretta  observed  the  approach  of  the  sloop  she  weighed 
and  crowded  sail  to  avoid  a  conflict  that  was  every  way  unde- 
sirable, her  commander  not  yet  being  apprised  of  all  the  facts 
that  had  occurred  near  Boston.  In  jibing,  the  schooner  car- 
ried away  her  main-boom,  but  continuing  to  stand  on,  she  ran 
into  Holmes's  Bay,  and  took  a  spar  out  of  a  vessel  that  was 
lying  there.  While  these  repairs  were  making,  the  sloop  hove 
in  sight  again,  and  the  Margaretta  stood  out  to  sea,  in  the  hope 
of  avoiding  hen  The  breeze  freshened,  and,  with  the  wind 
on  the  quarter,  the  sloop  proved  to  be  the  better  sailer.  So 
anxious  was  the  Margaretta  to  avoid  a  collision,  that  Captain 
Moore  now  cut  away  his  boats ;  but  finding  this  ineffectual, 
and  that  his  assailants  were  fast  closing  with  him,  he  opened 
a  fire,  the  schooner  having  an  armament  of  four  light  guns, 
and  fourteen  swivels.  A  man  was  killed  on  board  the  sloop, 
which  immediately  returned  the  fire  with  a  wall  piece.  This 
discharge  killed  the  man  at  the  Margaretta's  helm,  and  cleared 
her  quarter-deck.  The  schooner  broached  to,  when  the  sloop 
gave  a  general  discharge.  Almost  at  the  same  instant  the  two 
vessels  came  foul  of  each  other.  A  short  conflict  now  took 
place  with  musketry.  Captain  Moore  throwing  hand-grenades, 
with  considerable  effect,  in  person.    This  officer  was  shot 


[1775. 


1775.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


39 


down,  however,  when  the  people  of  the  sloop  boarded  and  took 
possession  of  their  prize. 

The  loss  of  life  in  this  affair  was  not  very  great,  though 
twenty  men,  on  both  sides,  are  said  to  have  been  killed  and 
wounded.  The  force  of  the  Margaretta,  even  in  men,  was 
much  the  most  considerable,  though  the  people  of  no  regular 
cruiser  can  ever  equal  in  spirit  and  energy  a  body  of  volun- 
teers assembled  on  an  occasion  like  this.  There  was  origi- 
nally no  commander  in  the  sloop,  but  previously  to  engaging 
the  schooner,  Jeremiah  O'Brien  was  selected  for  that  station. 
This  affair  was  the  Lexington  of  the  seas,  for,  like  that  cele- 
brated land  conflict,  it  was  a  rising  of  the  people  against  a 
regular  force,  was  characterised  by  a  long  chase,  a  bloody 
struggle,  and  a  triumph.  It  was  also  the  first  blow  struck  on 
the  water,  after  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution  had  ac- 
tually commenced. 

The  armament  of  the  Margaretta  was  transferred  to  a  sloop, 
and  Mr.  O'Brien  made  an  attack  on  two  small  English  cruisers 
that  were  said  to  have  been  sent  out  from  Halifax,  expressly  to 
capture  him.  By  separating  these  vessels,  he  took  them  both, 
with  little  resistance,  and  the  prisoners  were  all  carried  to 
Watertown,  where  the  provincial  legislature  of  Massachusetts 
was  then  assembled.  The  gallantry  and  good  conduct  of  Mr. 
O'Brien  were  so  generally  admired,  that  he  was  immediately 
appointed  a  captain  in  the  marine  of  the  colony,  and  sent  on 
the  coast  with  his  two  last  prizes,  with  orders  to  intercept  ves- 
sels bringing  supplies  to  the  royal  forces. 

Many  adventures  or  enterprises,  more  or  less  resembling 
these  of  Captain  O'Brien,  took  place  on  different  parts  of  the 
coast,  though  none  of  so  brilliant  and  successful  a  character. 
By  way  of  I'etaliation,  and  with  a  view  to  intimidate,  the  Eng- 
lish commander-in-chief,  Admifal  Graves,  sent  a  force  under 
the  orders  of  Captain  Mowat,  to  destroy  the  town  of  Falmouth, 
and  four  hundred  buildings  were  burned.  An  attempt  to 
land,  however,  was  repulsed,  when  the  ships  retired.  This 
and  similar  steps  produced  the  law  of  Massachusetts,  already 
mentioned  as  having  been  passed  in  Nov.  1775,  granting  com- 
missions and  directing  the  seizure  of  British  vessels  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  and  which  consequently  put  an  end  to  the 
expeditions  we  have  classed  among  the  unauthorised. 

The  colony  of  Massachusetts  had  recourse  to  energetic  mea- 
sures for  annoying  the  enemy  on  the  coast,  and  for  procuring 
military  supplies.     Many  small  vessels  were  fitted  out  by  that 


t' 


40 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


11775. 


as  well  as  by  other  colonies,  and  ships  were  sent  in  different 
directions  with  a  view  to  purchase  stores. 

The  want  of  powder,  in  particular,  was  so  severely  felt,  that 
all  practicable  means  were  adopted  to  obtain  it.  Among  others, 
General  Washington  borrowed  two  schooners  of  Massachusetts 
and  sent  tHem  into  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  under  the  orders 
of  Captain  Broughton,  to  intercept  two  brigs,  that  were  known 
to  be  bound  to  Quebec  with  military  supplies.  The  brigs 
were  not  seen,  but  ten  other  English  vessels  were  captured  by 
Captain  Broughton,  all  of  which  were  released  as  not  coming 
within  the  hostilities  meditated  by  Congress. 

That  body,  however,  was  by  no  means  blind  to  the  impor- 
tance of  naval  means  of  defence,  without  which  no  war  can 
ever  be  conducted  with  credit  and  success  by  a  country  situ- 
ated like  America ;  and  we  have  now  properly  arrived  at  the 
period  when  it  is  necessary  to  advert  to  the  acts  and  legislation 
of  the  General  Government  on  this  interesting  subject. 

Soon  after  he  assumed  the  comnoand  of  the  troops  before 
Boston,  General  Washington,  who  so  deeply  felt  the  want  of 
munitions  of  war,  isined  several  commissions  to  different  small 
vessels,  giving  their  commanders  instructions  to  cruise  in  or 
near  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  order  to  intercept  the  Britjsh  store 
ships. 

The  first  vessel  that  got  to  sea  under  this  arrangement,  was 
the  schooner  Lee,  Captain  John  Manly,  which  sailed  from 
Marblehead  near  the  close  of  November.  On  the  29th,  Cap- 
tain Manly  fell  in  with  and  captured  the  English  brig  Nancy, 
having  on  board  ordnance  stores,  several  brass  guns,  a  consi- 
derable stock  of  fire-arms,  and  various  military  supplies. 
Among  other  things  of  this  nature,  was  a  large  mortar,  which 
was  justly  deemed  an  important  addition  to  the  means  of  a  be- 
sieging army ;  for,  up  to  this  time,  the  Americans  before  Bos- 
ton were  particularly  in  want  of  artillery  of  every  sort.  On 
the  8th  of  December,  Captain  Manly  captured  three  more 
store-ships,  and  succeeded  in  getting  all  his  prizes  safely  into 
port. 

Although  it  may  not  be  strictly  true  to  term  the  Lee,  and  the 
other  small  cruisers  similarly  employed,  the  first  vessels  that 
ever  belonged  to  the  General  Government  of  this  country,  they 
may  be  deemed  the  first  that  ever  actually  sailed  with  autho- 
rity to  cruise  in  behalf  of  the  entire  republic.  But,  while  we 
yield  this  precedency  to  Captain  Manly  and  his  associates,  who 
acted  under  the  orders  of  Watthington,  Congress  itself  had  not 


t^_ • 


1775.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


41 


been  altogether  idle,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  took  the  step  just  mentioned  in  accordance  with  the  ex- 
pressed views  of  that  body.  i 

The  first  legislation  of  Congress  on  the  subject  of  a  navyj 
preceded  the  law  of  Massachusetts,  in  point  of  time,  though  the 
act  was  worded,^with  great  reserve.  On  the  13th  of  October, 
1775,  a  law  passed  ordering  one  vessel  of  10  guns,  and  another 
of  14  guns  to  be  equipped  as  national  property,  and  to  be  sent 
to  the  eastward  on  a  cruise  of  three  months,  to  intercept  sup- 
plies for  the  royal  troops.  On  the  29th  of  the  same  month  a 
resolution  passed  denying  to  private  ships  of  war  and  mer- 
chant vessels  the  right  to  wear  pennants  in  the  presence  of 
"  continental  ships,  or  vessels  of  war,"  without  the  permission 
of  the  commanding  officers  of  the  latter.  The  next  day  ano- 
ther law  passed,  authorising  the  fitting  out  of  two  more  cruisers, 
one  to  carry  20,  and  the  other  36  guns. 

A  change  in  this  cautious  policy  was  produced  by  the  depre- 
dations committed  by  the  vessels  under  the  command  of  Cap- 
tain Mowat.  When  the  intelligence  of  that  ruthless  proceeding 
reached  Philadelphia,  it  produced  a  general  prize  law,  with  au- 
thority  to  capture  all  British  vessels  that  were  in  any  manner 
connected  with  the  pending  struggle.  As  the  country  still  ac- 
knowledged its  connexion  with  the  crown,  perhaps  this  reserve 
in  conducting  the  war,  was,  in  a  measure,  due  to  sound  policy. 
This  law  was  followed  by  another,  passed  December  13th, 
ordering  thirteen  sail  of  cruisers,  to  be  constructed.  Of  the 
latter  vessels,  three  were  to  be  of  24  guns,  five  of  28,  and 
five  of  32. 

These  vessels  appear  to  have  been  judiciously  appointed  in 
order  to  effect  the  object  in  view.  The  resources  of  America 
did  not  admit  of  the  construction  of  ships  of  a  size  fit  to  con- 
tend with  the  fleets  of  England ;  and  even  had  the  colonies  been 
in  a  condition  to  make  such  an  exhibition  of  their  power,  the 
time  necessary  to  organise  a  proper  njarine,  the  want  of  navy 
yards,  and  the  impossibility  of  procuring,  in  season,  naval 
stores  of  the  required  quality,  would  have  prevented  them  from 
attempting  it.  The  ships  ordered  were  large  enough  to  resist 
the  small  cruisers  of  the  crown,  and  were  well  adapted  to  de- 
stroy convoys  and  to  capture  transports  and  store-ships. 

Bad  as  was  the  condition  of  the  colonies,  as  respects  naval 

stores  and  the  munitions  of  war,  the  count-y  might  be  said  to 

bo  even  worse  off'  for  persons  suited  to  form  a  navy  list. 

There  was  no  lack  of  competent  navigators,  or  of  brave  sea- 
4  * 


42 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1775. 


I 


men,  but  the  high  moral  qualities  which  are  indispensable  to 
the  accomplished  officer,  were  hardly  to  be  expected  among 
those  who  had  received  all  their  training  in  the  rude  and  im- 
perfect schools  of  the  merchant  service.  Still,  as  a  whole,  the 
merchant  seamen  of  America  were  of  a  class  superior  to  those 
pf  most  other  nations;  the  very  absence  of  a  regular  marine, 
which  induced  young  men  of  enterprise  to  incur  the  dangers  of 
the  seus  in  this  mode  in  preference  to  remaining  on  shore,  and 
the  moral  superiority  of  the  level  of  the  population,  producing 
such  a  result.  The  Committee  of  Congress,  to  which  the 
duties  of  a  Navy  Department  were  assigned,  was  compelled, 
in  consequence  of  these  difficulties,  to  select  the  new  corps  of 
officers,  principally,  from  such  conspicuous  persons  among  the 
masters  and  mates  of  merchant  ships  as  the  country  afibrded ; 
a  few  of  those  who  had  been  trained  in  the  English  marine, 
but  who  had  left  it  previously  to  the  struggle,  excepted.  The 
result  was  such  as  might  have  been  anticipated.  While  many 
gallant  and  suitable  men  were  chosen,  some  of  the  corps  had 
little  to  recommend  them  besides  their  practical  knowledge  of 
seamanship.  These  were  valuable  qualities,  certainly ;  but  the 
habits  of  subordination,  the  high  feelings  of  personal  pride  and 
self-respect  that  create  an  esprit  de  corps,  and  the  moral  cou- 
rage and  lofty  sentiments  that  come  in  time,  to  teach  the 
trained  officer  to  believe  any  misfortune  preferable  to  profes- 
sional disgrac'3,  were  not  always  to  be  expected  under  such 
circumstances. 

It  has  become  impossible  to  establish,  in  all  cases,  who  did 
and  who  did  not  actually  serve  in  the  marine  of  the  United 
States,  officers  so  frequently  passing  from  the  privateers  into 
the  public  vessels,  and  from  the  public  vessels  to  the  privateers, 
as  to  leave  this  important  branch  of  our  subject  involved  in 
much  obscurity.  Before  we  enter  more  fuliy  into  the  details 
on  which  reliance  can  be  placed,  it  may  be  well,  also,  to  ex- 
plain that  the  officers  in  the  navy  of  the  Confederation  derived 
their  authority  from  different  sources,  a  circumstance  that  adds 
to  the  difficulties  just  mentioned.  In  a  good  many  instances, 
Congress  made  the  appointments  by  direct  resolutions  of  its 
own,  as  will  appear  in  the  case  of  the  officers  first  named. 
Subsequently,  the  Marine  Committee  possessed  this  power ; 
and,  in  the  end,  not  only  did  the  diplomatic  agents  of  the  Go- 
vernment abroad  exercise  this  high  trust,  but  even  the  com- 
manders of  squadrons  and  of  ships  were  put  in  possession  of 
blank  commissions  to  be  filled  at  their  particular  discretion. 


11775. 


1775.J 


N  AVAL    HISTORY. 


43 


It  will  easih^  be  understood  how  much  this  looseness  in  mana* 
ging  an  interest  of  so  much  moment,  increases  the  difficulty  of 
obtaining  the  truth. 

That  the  brave  men  who  acted  under  the  authority  of 
Washington,  at  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  were  not  in 
the  navy,  is  evident  from  the  circumstance  that  several  of  them 
obtained  rank  in  the  service,  as  the  reward  of  their  conduct 
while  cruising  in  the  sort  of  semi-official  vessels  that  have  been 
already  mentioned.  It  has  been  said,  that  the  fir^t  regular 
legislation  of  Congress,  in  reference  to  a  marine,  with  a  view 
to  resist  the  aggressions  of  the  British  Parliament,  dates  from 
a  resolution  of  that  body  passed  the  13th  of  October,  1775. 
This  resolution  directed  a  committee  of  three,  Messrs.  Deane, 
Langdon  and  Gadsden,  to  fit  out  two  swifl-sailing  vessels,  the 
one  of  ten,  and  the  other  of  fourteen  guns,  to  cruise  to  the  east- 
ward,  to  intercept  the  supplies  and  transports  intended  for  the 
British  army  at  Boston.  Under  this  law  it  is  believed  that  a 
brier  called  the  Lexington,  and  a  sloop  named  the  Providence, 
were  equipped ;  though  it  does  not  appear  that  either  \vent  on 
the  particular  duty  named  in  the  resolution.  On  the  30th  of 
the  same  month,  the  committee  was  increased  to  seven ;  and  a 
ship  of  36  guns,  and  another  of  20,  were  ordered  to  be  provi- 
ded. Under  this  law,  the  Alfred  and  Columbus  were  pur- 
chased, though  neither  was  of  the  fjrce  implied  by  the  highest 
rate  named.  The  first  of  these  ships  is  said  to  have  had  a 
main-deck  battery  of  20  nines,  while  her  armament  on  the 
quarter-deck  and  forecastle,  varied  in  the  course  of  her  ser- 
vice, from  ten  guns  to  two.  At  the  end  of  her  career,  she 
carried  no  guns  above.  Less  is  known  of  the  Columbus,  but 
she  is  believed  to  have  had  a  gun-deck  battery  of  18  nines. 
Both  were  clumsy  and  crank  ships,  and  neither  proved  to  be 
a  very  good  sailer. 

On  the  13th  of  December,  of  the  same  year,  Congress  di- 
rected the  thirteen  ships  of  war  to  be  built,  and  the  next  day 
the  Marine  Committee  was  so  far  increased  as  to  contain  one 
member  from  each  colony ;  all  the  proceedings  that  have  yet 
been  mentioned,  having  been  directed  rather  to  a  redress  of 
grievances,  than  to  independence. 

On  the  22d  of  .December,  1775,  Congress  passed  a  resolu- 
tion declaring  Esel  Hopkins  Commander-in-Chief,  and  ap- 
pointing officers  for  all  the  vessels  then  in  service. 

By  this  law  it  will^be  seen  that  Mr.  Hopkins  was  not  made 
a  captain,  but  the  "  Commander-in-Chief,"  a  rank  that  was 


44 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1775. 


intended  to  correspond  in  the  navy,  to  that  held  by  Washing- 
ton in  the  army.  Mis  olKcinl  appellation,  among  seamen,  ap- 
pears to  liave  been  that  of  "  Commodore,"  fijough  ho  was  I're- 
qnenlly  styled  "  Admiral,"  in  tho  papers  of  the  period.  The 
captains  were  particularly  named  to  tho  respective  ships,  and 
tho  law  was  so  construed,  that  the  lieutenants  were  attached 
to  tho  ditlerent  vessels  in  the  order  in  which  they  were  re- 
spectively named. 

By  Ibis  r(>solution,  or  law,  it  would  appear  that  two  brigs, 
the  Andrea  Doria,  and  tho  Cabot,  had  been  purchased,  most 
probably  by  the  Marino  Committee,  previously  to  its  passage. 
Of  tho  precise  force  of  the  latter  vessel  no  authentic  account 
can  bo  found,  but  it  is  thought  to  havo  been  16  sixes.  It 
appears  by  a  letter  of  Paul  Jones,  however,  that  the  armament 
of  the  Doria  was  14  fours,  and  the  Cabot  may  have  been  of 
the  same  force. 

The  equipment  of  all  the  vessels  mentioned,  as  well  as  of 
two  or  thn^o  more  of  loss  size,  was  going  on  in  the  autumn 
of  1775,  the  appointment  of  their  officers  was  made  at  the 
close  of  the  year,  and  the  first  ensign  ever  shown  by  a  regu- 
lar American  man-of-war,  was  hoisted  in  tho  Delaware,  on 
lK)ard  the  Alfred,  by  the  hands  of  Paul  Jones,  some  time  about 
the  last  of  December.  This  event  could  not  have  occurred 
previously  to  the  vote  appointing  a  commander-in-chief,  as  wq 
are  expressly  told  that  the  flag  was  shown  when  that  oflicer 
first  repaircd  on  board  his  ship.  What  that  ensign  was,  is  not 
now  certainly  known,  but  it  is  thought  to  have  been  a  device 
reprcscnting  a  pine  tree,  with  a  rattlesnake  about  to  strike, 
coiled  at  its  root,  and  bearing  the  motto  "  don't  tread  on  me." 

The  first  regular  cruisers  that  ever  got  to  sea  under  the  new 
government  were  the  Hornet  10,  and  Wasp  8,  a  sloop  and  a 
schooner  that  had  been  equipped  at  Baltimore  by  the  Marine 
Committee,  and  which  sailed  in  November,  to  join  the  squad- 
ron under  Commodore  Hopkins,  in  tho  Delaware.  This  pas- 
sage, however,  cannot  properly  bo  called  a  cruise.  For  tho 
first  of  these  we  must  probably  refer  to  the  Lexington  14,  a 
brig,  the  command  of  which  had  been  given  to  John  Barry,  a 
s-hip-master  of  Philadelphia,  of  credit  and  skill.  By  other 
ijiatemcnts,  the  squadron  under  the  orders  of  Commodore  Hop- 
kins got  out  before  the  Lexington  ;  but  we  are  disposed  to 
believe  that  this  is  an  error  ;  not  only  because  the  sailing  of 
the  Lexington  appears  to  be  asserted  on  the  most  probable  au- 
thority, but  because  it  is  more  reasonable  to  believe,  that,  as 


[1775. 


1776.] 


NAVAL     HI8T0:Y. 


45 


and 


on 


between  vessels  fitted  in  the  same  place,  and  near  tlie  same 
time,  a  single  cruiser  could  precede  a  squadron.  It  would 
seem  that  the  Lexington  was  purchased  curlier  than  the  Alfred^ 
and,  in  the  nature  of  things,  was  more  readily  equipped.  Tho 
honour  has  long  been  claimed  for  Captain  Barry,  and,  on  as 
close  an  examination  of  the  facts,  as  our  means  will  allow,  wo 
believo  it  to  be  his  due.  The  Lexington  must  have  led  tho 
CajKJs  of  the  Delaware  late  in  January,  or  early  in  February, 
1776,  with  orders  to  cruise  to  thw  southward. 

The  plans  of  Congress  had  changed  between  the  time  when 
tho  vessels  were  ordered  and  that  on  which  they  were  ready 
for  service.  Commodore  Hopkins  was  accordingly  directed 
also  to  proceed  to  the  southward,  with  a  view  lo  act  against 
the  naval  force,  which  was  then  ravaging  the  coast  of  Vir- 
ginia, under  Lord  Dunmore.  The  squadron  had  got  into  tho 
Bay,  and  rendezvoused  under  Cape  Henlopen,  early  in  Feb- 
ruary. It  consisted  of  tho  Alfred  24,  Columbus  20,  Doria  14, 
Cabot  14,  Providence  12,  Hornet  10,  Wasp  8,  and  Fly  despatch 
vessel.  With  ^Ha  force  Commodore  Hopkins  got  to  sea  on 
tho  17th  of  Feoruary.  On  tho  night  of  the  19th,  as  the 
squadron  was  steering  south  with  a  fresh  breeze,  the  Hornet 
and  Fly  parted  company,  and  did  not  join  again  during  the 
cruise.  No  vessel  of  any  importance  was  met  until  the  ships 
reached  Abaco,  in  the  Bahamas,  where  the  squadron  had  been 
ordered  to  rendezvous.  Here  Commodore  Hopkins  determined 
to  make  a  descent  on  New  Providence,  where  it  was  under- 
stood a  considerable  amount  of  military  stores  was  collected. 
For  this  purpose,  a  body  of  300  men,  marines  and  landsmen, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Nichols,  the  senior  marine 
officer  of  the  service,  was  put  into  two  sloops,  with  the  hope 
of  surprising  the  place.  As  the  squadron  approached  the 
town,  howevex',  an  alarm  was  givjn,  when  the  sloops  were 
sent  in,  with  the  Providence  12,  and  Wasp  8,  to  cover  the 
landing.  This  duty  was  handsomely  performed,  and  Captain 
Nichols  got  complete  possession  of  the  forts,  and  entire  com- 
mand of  the  place,  in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  and  of  the 
following  Wiorning,  after  a  very  insignificant  resistance.  Un- 
fortunately, the  governor,  aware  of  the  motive  of  the  descent, 
found  means  to  send  away  a  considerable  quantity  of  powder 
during  the  night.  Near  a  hundred  cannon,  and  a  large  quan- 
tity of  other  stores,  however,  fell  in!  ^  the  hands  of  the  Ame- 
ricans. On  this  occasion,  the  first  tt.at  ever  occurred  in  the 
regular  American  Navy,  the  marines  under  Captain  Nichols, 


•f^.-: 


^Q 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


Sgulshtrth'^^^^^^^^^^    tl''  tfu'''^  ^*"«^'"«««  that  have 
moment.  °'^''^'  '^^^'"  that  hour  down  to  tno  preset 

on  Iho  51h  1,0  fell  i„  „i„,7  "  71°i^S"^°'''  ^""aee,  and 
'on,  S,  Lieutenant  Snoad  ""  '^""'''  Bomb  Brig  BoJ. 

About  one  o'clocl  in   ',\. 
squadron  bcin.  a  littln  J„;i  morning  of  the  eth  of  Anril  ,1, 

luilo  smooth  ;  ani  „bou,"„o  ^o  I  "'  ""f  '«'"'"°d  'ho  S 
fit^d  ,?'J"  "I?^,"  ^'h  himrrid  ha  eT^I  '"'™g  gone  abou" 

^T).Tx^^  i^''  P-«Ple  injured      '  ^''  "'''''''  ^^"^d,  and  S 
ye,,fe  Cabot,  ranging  hand- 

after  the  Providence  got  uS  fu     ^''^^^'^ff  her  fiV  Soon 
and  the  Andrea  Doria^was  enabL,H  ''"  ^^  '^'  ^"ghsh  shTp 

ot  wind.  After  a  smart  cannnnl^  7  ^^  ^  distance  for  want 
and  wheel-rope  of  the  AiS  """"^^  °^''^'»''  ^n  hour,  the  bTor-k 
broached  to ,-  ly  whic'h  ac  iSt^^.  ^'°*  ^"^^'  ""^  the  h  p 
her  with  effect.  BeinrsSpH  if^'"^  ^^^  «"»hled  to  rake 
•^possible,  the  English^mmani  '^^^  victory  was 

astern  Saihng  better  than  an  voP^k  ''^^  ^"^erican  vessels 
«'ere  deep,  as  well  as  dull  fn  ^.1  ^^  '^l^^^ron,  most  of  which 
stores  they  had  taken  o„board"r'^"^nce  of  the  cannorand 
f  ned  on  his  pursuers^tS  '^^^^^^Y  slowly  hut  stead'Ty 
"P.  hy  both  parties  undl  nost  d^  Ti""  ^"""^nade  was  kep^ 
!h.ps  had  go/so  far  to  the  ea   ward  ?^';  r^^  ""^  o'clock  tTe 

-^apprehensive  the  ffrin:1S^S^rtr^J^J: 


[1776. 


1776.] 


N  A  V  A  I^     H  I  a  T  O  11  V . 


47 


squadron  ;  and  seeing  little  chr  ^  of  overtaking  the  chase,  he 
made  a  signal  for  his  vessels  to  haul  by  the  wind.  Capturing 
a  lender  that  was  in  company  with  the  ship  that  had  escaped, 
the  squadron  now  w(  it  into  New  London,  the  port  to  which  it 
was  bound. 

The  vessel  that  engaged  the  American  ships,  on  this  occa- 
sion, was  the  Glasgow,  20,  Captain  Tyringham  Howe,  with  a 
crev/  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  souls.  In  every  thing  but 
the  number  of  her  men,  the  Glasgow  was  probacy  superior  to 
any  one  ship  in  the  American  squadron ;  but  her  close  encounter 
with,  and  eventual  escape  from  so  many  vessels,  reflected 
great  credit  on  her  commander.  She  was  a  good  deal  cut  up, 
notwithstanding,  and  had  four  men  killed  and  wounded.  On 
the  other  hand,  both  the  Alfred  and  the  Cabot  suffered  materi- 
ally, the  former  from  having  been  raked,  and  the  latter  from 
lying  close  alongside  a  vessel  so  much  her  superior  in  force. 
Th':  Alfred  and  Cabot  had  twenty-three  men  killed  and 
wounded,  and  one  man  on  board  the  Columbus  lost  an  arm 
while  in  chase. 

The  result  of  this  first  essay  of  the  American  navy,  caused 
much  exultation  in  the  country.  The  affair  was  represented 
as  a  sort  of  victory,  in  which  three  light  vessels  of  war  had 
been  taken,  and  one  of  force  compelled  to  run.  A  short  time, 
however,  served  to  correct  these  errors,  and  public  opinion 
probably  went  as  far  in  the  opposite  extreme,  where  it  would 
seem  to  have  been  permanently  fixed,  by  subsequent  histo- 
rians. 

Commodore  Hopkins  was  !cfl  in  command  some  time  longer, 
it  is  true,  and  he  carried  the  squadron  to  Rhode  Island,  a  fe«' 
weeks  after  his  arrival,  but  he  never  made  another  cruise  in 
the  navy.  On  the  16th  of  October,  Congress  passed  a  vote  of 
censure  on  him,  for  not  performing  the  duties  on  which  he  had 
been*  sent  to  the  southward ;  and  on  the  2J  of  January,  1777, 
by  a  vote  of  that  body,  he  was  formally  dismissed  from  the 
service.  No  commander-in-chief  was  subsequently  appointed, 
though  such  a  measure  was  recommended  to  the  national 
legislature  by  a  committee  of  its  own  body,  August  24th,  1781. 

As  an  offset  to  the  escape  of  the  Glasgow,  the  Lexington, 
Captain  Barry,  fell  in  with  the  Edward,  an  armed  tender  of 
the  Liverpool,  on  the  17th  of  April,  off"  the  Capes  of  Virginia, 
and  after  a  close  and  spirited  action  of  near  an  hour,  captured 
her.   The  Lexington  had  four  of  her  crew  killed  and  wounded, 


■* 


■  i"iniMin.j.aii,.>ii |,i»4ji..4wi>ijiB»p«ra!itM.v...;.  .. , '  ..iw- 


48 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1776. 


while  the  Edward  was  cut  nearly  to  pieces,  and  met  with  a 
very  heavy  comparative  loss  in  men. 

It  may  better  connect  the  history  of  this  little  brig,  if  we 
add  here,  that  she  went  to  the  West>Indies  the  following  Oct<> 
bcr,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Halleck,  and  on  her  return 
was  captured  neor  the  spot  where  she  had  taken  the  Liverpool's 
tender,  by  the  Pearl  frigate.  It  was  blowing  fresh  at  the  time, 
and,  after  taking  out  a  few  officers,  and  putting  a  crew  on 
board  his  prize,  the  commander  of  the  Pearl  ordered  her  to 
follow  his  own  ship.  That  night  the  Americans  rose,  and 
overpowering  the  prize-crew,  they  carried  the  brig  into  Balti- 
more. The  Lexington  was  immediately  recommissioned, 
under  the  orders  of  Captain  Johnston,  and  in  March  she  sailed 
for  Europe,  where  there  will  soon  bo  occasion  to  note  her 
movements. 


CHAPTER  V. 

When  tie  American  squadron  had  got  into  Newport,  it  be- 
came useless,  from  want  of  men.  Many  of  the  seamen  had 
entered  for  the  cruise  only,  and  Congress  having  authorised 
the  capture  of  all  British  vessels  in  March,  so  many  persons 
were  now  induced  to  go  on  board  the  privateers,  that  crews 
were  not  easily  obtained  for  the  vessels  of  war.  It  is  a  singular 
feature  of  the  times,  too,  that  the  sudden  check  to  navigation, 
and  the  delay  in  authorising  general  captures,  had  driven  a 
great  many  of  the  seamen  into  the  army.  It  is  also  easy  to 
imagine  that  the  service  was  out  of  favour,  afler  the  affair  with 
the  Glasgow ;  for  by  events  as  trifling  as  this,  are  the  opinions 
of  ordinary  men  usually  influenced. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  vessels  were  carried  to  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  and  soldiers  were  borrowed  from  the  army,  in 
order  to  effect  even  this.  At  Providence,  courts-martial,  the 
usual  attendants  of  military  misfortunes,  were  assembled  to 
judge  the  delinquents.  Captain  Whipple,  of  the  Columbus, 
was  tried  for  not  aiding  the  Alfred  in  the  action  with  the  Glas- 
gow, and  seems  to  have  been  acquitted.     Captain  Hazard,  of 


1776.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


49 


the  Providence,  was  cashiered,  though  it  docs  not  appear  on 
what  charge. 

The  day  after  the  dismissal  of  her  former  commander,  or 
May  the  lOlh,  1776,  Paul  Jones  was  directed  by  Commodore 
Hopkins  to  take  charge  of  the  Providence,  and  to  carry  the 
borrowed  soldiers  to  New  York,  there  to  enlist  a  regular  crew, 
and  return  to  the  statjon.  This  duty  having  been  successfully 
performed,  the  sloop  was  hove  out,  cleoned,  refitted,  armed, 
and  manned  for  a  cruise.  On  the  13th  of  June,  Captain  Jones 
sailed  from  Newport,  with  a  convoy  loaded  with  military  stores, 
which  he  saw  into  Long  Island  Sound,  a  service  attended  with 
risk,  on  account  of  the  numerous  cruisers  of  the  enemy.  While 
thus  employed,  he  covered  the  escape  of  a  brig  from  St.  Do- 
mingo, laden  also  with  military  stores,  and  bound  to  New 
York.  This  brig  was  soon  after  bought  into  the  service,  and 
became  the  Hampden  14.  After  performing  this  duty,  the 
Providence  was  employed  in  cruising  between  Boston  and  the 
Delaware,  and  she  even  ran  as  far  aouth  as  Bermuda.  On  the 
1st  of  September,  while  on  the  latter  service,  this  little  sloop 
made  five  ail,  one  of  which  was  mistaken  for  a  largo  mer- 
chantman.  On  getting  near  the  latter  vessel,  she  proved  to  bo 
a  light  English  frigate,  and  a  fast  sailer.  After  a  chase  of  four 
hours  by  the  wind,  and  in  a  cross  sea,  the  enemy  had  so  far 
gained  on  the  Providence  as  to  be  within  musket-shot,  on  her 
lee-quarter.  The  stranger  had  early  opened  with  his  chase 
guns,  and  the  Providence  now  returned  the  fire  with  her  light 
four-pounders,  showing  her  colours.  Perceiving  that  capture, 
or  some  bold  expedient,  must  soon  determine  his  fate,  Captain 
Jones  kept  edging  away,  until  he  had  got  rather  on  the  lee- 
bow  of  the  enemy,  when  the  Providence  suddenly  went  oflf 
dead  before  the  wind,  setting  every  thing  that  would  draw. 
This  unexpected  manoeuvre  brought  the  two  vessels  within 
pistol-shot,  but  the  English  ship  having  been  taken  completely 
by  surprise,  before  she  could  get  her  light  sails  set,  the  sloop 
was  nearly  out  of  reach  of  grape.  The  Providence  sailed  the 
best  before  the  wind,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  she  had  drawn 
quite  beyond  the  reach  of  shot,  and  finally  escaped.  This 
affair  has  been  represented  as  an  engagement  of  several  hours 
with  the  Solebay  28,  but,  as  has  been  said,  it  was  little  more 
than  a  clever  artifice,  in  which  Captain  Jones  discovered  much 
steadiness  and  address.  Not  a  shot  touched  the  Providence, 
though  the  Solebay  fired  a  hundred. 

Captain  Jones  now  went  to  the  eastward,  where  he  made 


50 


NAVAL     IlIflTOUY. 


(1776. 


i 


r 


several  prizes.  Here  he  wns  chased  by  the  Milford  32,  and 
finding  lie  could  easily  oulsuil  her,  ho  kept  just  out  of  gunshot 
for  several  hours,  the  enemy,  who  measured  his  distance  badly, 
firing  most  of  the  time.  This  affair  has  also  been  exaggerated 
into  a  running  tight. 

Ailer  this  chase  the  Providence  went  upon  the  coost,  off 
Canscau,  and  did  much  damage  to  the  enemy's  fishermen, 
taking  no  less  than  twelve  soil.  Having  made  sixteen  prizes 
in  all,  some  of  which  wore  valuable,  Captain  Jones  returned  to 
Newport. 

Er<?  the  return  of  the  Providence,  independence  was  declared, 
and  Congress  had  set  about  n  more  regular  organisation  of  the 
navy.  Octol)er  the  3d,  it  ordered  another  frigate  and  two  cut- 
ters to  'x!  built ;  and  November  the  9th,  a  low  was  passed, 
authorising  the  construction  of  three  seventy-fours,  five  more 
frigates,  a  sloop  of  war,  and  a  packet.  In  January  of  the  suc- 
ceeding year,  another  frigate  and  another  sloop  of  war  were 
ordered.  Eight  of  the  prizes  were  also  directed  to  be  taken 
into  the  service,  in  the  course  of  the  years  1770  and  1777, 
while,  as  the  war  proc-f-oded,  divers  small  vessels  were  directed 
to  be  built,  or  purchased. 

AVhen  the  squadron,  under  Commodore  Hopkins,  broke  up, 
all  the  ships  did  not  remain  idle,  but  the  Columbus  20,  made 
a  cruise,  under  Captain  Whipple,  to  the  eastward,  and  took  a 
few  prizes.  The  Andrea  Doria  14,  Captain  Biddle,  went  in 
the  same  direction,  and  was  even  more  successful  than  the 
Providence  in  annoying  the  enemy.  This  vessel,  a  little  brig, 
carrying  14  fours,  actually  took  two  armed  transports  filled  with 
soldiers,  and  made  prizes  of  so  many  merchantmen,  that,  it  is 
affirmed  on  plausible  authority,  wlh  n  she  got  back  into  the 
Delaware,  but  five  of  the  common  n>en  who  composed  her 
original  crew  were  in  her ;  the  rest  having  been  put  in  the 
prizes,  and  their  places  supplied  by  volunteers  from  among 
the  prisoners.  Captain  5iddlo  ipiined  much  .-redit  for  this 
cruise,  and  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Randolph 
32,  then  recently  launched. 

While  the  United  States'  cruisri-s  were  thus  active  in  inter- 
cepting the  British  tran«p«'"rts  on  the  high  seas,  the  colony 
cruisers  and  privalcprs  were  l>«isy  in  the  same  way  in-shore. 
Boston  had  been  evacuated  by  the  enemy  on  the  17lli  of 
March,  of  this  year,  o»ut  vessrl-s  continiii  i  to  arrive  from  Eng- 
land until  midsummer ;  the  fact  r>ci  being  known  in  time  to 
prevent  their  steering  towards  the  wr-^g  port.     No  less  than 


[1776. 


1776.] 


NAVAL     HISTOttY, 


51 


this 


Eng- 


thirty  suil  fell  into  tlio  hunda  of  the  Americans,  in  consc- 
(|iiencu  of  tlicHo  mistakes. 

Tlid  ('umifcticut  colony  brig  Defence  14,  Captain  Harding, 
loll  Plymouth,  Massac hiisett.s,  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
17th  of  .ftinc,  and,  on  working  out  into  the  bny,  a  desultory 
firing  was  heard  to  the  northward.  The  Defence  crowded 
sail  m  the  direction  of  the  cannonading,  nnd  about  dusk  she 
f<>ll  in  with  four  light  American  schooners,  which  had  been  en- 
gaged in  a  running  fight  with  two  Hritish  transports,  that 
proved  too  heavy  for  them.  The  transports,  after  Ijeating  ofi' 
the  schooners,  went  into  Nantaskct  Roads  and  anchored. 
One  of  the  schooners  was  the  Leo  8,  Captain  Waters,  in  tho 
service  of  Mossachusetta,  tho  little  cruiser  that  had  so  success- 
fully Ix'gun  the  maritime  warfare  under  Captain  Manly.  Tho 
three  others  were  privateers. 

After  laying  his  plans  with  the  commanders  of  the  schooners, 
Captain  Harding  stood  into  tho  roads,  and,  about  eleven 
o'clock  at  night,  he  anchored  between  tho  transports,  within 
pistol-shot.  Tho  schooners  followed,  but  did  not  approach 
near  enough  to  be  of  much  service.  Some  hailing  now  passed, 
nnd  Captain  Harding  ordered  tho  enemy  to  strike.  A  voice 
from  the  largest  English  vessel  answered,  "  Ay,  ay — I'll 
strike,"  and  a  broadside  was  immediately  poured  into  the  De- 
fence. A  sharp  action,  that  lasted  more  than  an  hour,  fol- 
lowed, when  both  the  English  vnssels  struck.  These  trans- 
ports contained  near  tw"  '.uudred  soldiers  of  the  same  corps 
us  those  shortly  after  t;ikcn  by  the  Doria,  and  on  board  the 
litri^est  of  them  was  -.i«  'Miant  Colonel  Campbell,  who  com- 
manded the  rcgimf't'.- 

In  this  close  n  irp  conflict,  the  Defence  was  a  good 

deal  cut  up  alo>ii,  and  she  had  nine  men  wounded.  The 
transports  lost  ^--ighteen  killed  and  a  large  number  wounded. 
Among  th(!  slain  was  Major  Menzies,  the  officer  who  had 
answered  the  hail  in  the  manner  stated. 

The  next  morning  the  Defence,  with  the  schooners  in  com- 
pany, saw  a  sail  in  the  bay,  and  gave  chase.  The  stranger 
proved  to  be  another  transport,  with  more  than  a  hundred  men 
of  the  same  regiment  on  board.  Thus  did  about  five  hundred 
men,  of  one  of  the  best  corps  in  the  British  army,  fall  into  the 
hands  of  tlie  Anr»ericans,  by  means  of  these  light  cruisers.  It 
should  be  remembered  that,  in  this  stage  of  the  war,  every 
capture  of  this  nature  was  of  double  importance  to  the  cause, 
as  it  not  only  weakened  the  enemy,  but  checked  his  intention 


^1 


l- 


52 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1776. 


of  treating  the  American  prisoners  as  rebels,  by  giving  the 
colonists  the  means  of  retaliation,  as  well  as  of  exchange. 
'  Colonel  Campbell  was  subsequently  imprisoned  by  Washing- 
ton, to  compel  the  English  to  extend  better  treatment  to  the 
Americans  who  had  fallen  into  their  hands. 

To  return  to  the  vessels  left  at  Rhode  Island.  When  Cap- 
tain Jones  came  in  from  his  last  cruise  in  the  Providence,  a 
project  was  formed  to  send  a  small  squadron  under  his  orders 
to  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  with  the  double  view  of  distressing 
the  British  trade,  and  of  liberating  about  a  hundred  Americans 
who  were  said  to  be  confined  in  the  coal-pits  of  that  region. 
For  this  purpose  the  Alfred  24,  Hampden  14,  and  Providence 
12,  were  put  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Jones;  but  not  hav- 
ing men  enough  for  all  three,  that  officer  selected  the  two  first 
for  his  purpose.  While  clearing  the  port,  the  Hampden  got  on 
a  ledge  of  rocks,  and  sustained  material  damage.  The  crew 
of  the  Hampden  were  now  transferred  to  the  Providence,  and 
in  the  month  of  November  Captain  Jones  got  to  sea,  with  both 
vessels  rather  short  manned.  A  few  days  out,  the  Alfred 
made  one  or  two  small  captures,  and  soon  after  she  fell  in  with, 
and,  after  a  short  combat,  took  the  armed  ship  McUish,  loaded 
with  supplies  for  the  army  that  was  then  assembling  in  Cana- 
da, to  compose  the  expedition  under  General  Burgoyrie.  On 
board  this  vessel,  in  addition  to  many  other  articles  of  the  last 
importance,  were  ten  thousand  suits  of  uniform,  in  charge  of  a 
company  of  soldiers.  It  was  said  at  the  time,  that  the  Mellish 
was  the  most  valuable  English  ship  that  had  then  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Of  so  much  importance  did  Cap- 
tain Jones  consider  his  prize,  that  he  announced  his  intention 
to  keep  her  in  sight,  and  to  sink  her  in  preference  to  letting 
her  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands  again.  This  resolution,  how- 
ever, was  changed  by  circumstances. 

The  Providence  had  parted  company  in  the  night,  and  hav- 
ing taken  a  letter  of  marque  from  Liverpool,  the  Alfred  was 
making  the  best  of  her  way  to  Boston,  with  a  viev/  to  get  the 
Mellish  in,  when,  on  the  edge  of  George's  Banks,  she  made  the 
Milford  32,  the  frigate  that  had  chased  Captain  Jones  the  pre- 
vious cruise,  while  in  command  of  the  Providence.  The  ene- 
my was  to  windward,  but  there  was  not  time  for  him  to  close 
before  dark.  The  Alfred  and  the  letter  of  marque  hauled  up 
between  the  frigate  and  the  other  prizes,  in  order  to  cover  them, 
and  directions  were  given  to  the  latter  to  stand  on  the  same 
tack  all  night,  regardless  of  signals.     At  midnight  the  Alfred 


[1776. 


1776.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


53 


hav- 

was 

et  the 

dethe 

pre- 

ene- 

close 

id  up 

;hem, 

same 

.Ifred 


and  letter  of  marque  tacked,  and  the  latter  showed  a  top-light 
until  morning.  This  artifice  succeeded,  the  Milford  appearing 
in  chase  of  the  Alfred  when  the  day  dawned,  while  the  Mellish 
and  her  consorts  had  disappeared  in  the  southern  board. 

The  Milford  had  run  to  leeward  in  the  course  of  the  night, 
and  was  now  on  the  Alfred's  lee  quarter.  Some  manoeuvring 
took  place  to  ascertain  the  stranger's  force,  for  it  was  not  then 
known  that  the  ship  in  sight  was  actually  a  frigate.  In  the 
course  of  the  day,  the  Alfred  was  compelled  to  carry  sail  hard, 
but  she  escaped,  though  the  letter  of  marque  fell  into  the  ene- 
my's hands.  After  eluding  her  enemy,  and  covering  all  her 
prizes,  the  one  just  mentioned  excepted,  the  Alfred  went  into 
Boston,  where  she  found  the  rest  of  the  vessels,  and  where  she 
landed  her  prisoners.  Another  officer  took  charge  of  the  ship, 
and  Captain  Jones,  who  had  been  flattered  with  the  hope  of 
having  a  still  larger  force  put  under  his  orders,  was  placed  so 
low  on  the  list  by  the  new  regulation  of  navy  rank,  as  to  be 
obliged  to  look  round  for  a  single  ship,  and  that,  too,  of  a  force 
inferior  to  the  one  he  had  just  commanded. 

While  this  service  was  in  the  course  of  execution  at  the 
north,  several  small  cruisers  had  been  sent  into  the  West  In- 
dies, to  convoy,  in  quest  of  arms,  or  to  communicate  with  the 
different  public  agents  in  that  quarter.  We  have  seen  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  Lexington  had  been  captured  and  retaken  6n 
her  return  passage  from  this  station,  and  we  have  now  to  al- 
lude to  a  short  cruise  of  the  Reprisal,  Captain  Wickes,  in  the 
same  quarter.  This  ship  sailed  early  in  the  summer,  for  Mar- 
tinique, capturing  several  prizes  by  the  way.  When  near  her 
port,  the  English  sloop  of  war  Shark  16,  Captain  Chapman, 
laid  her  close  alongside,  and  commenced  a  brisk  attack,  the 
Reprisal  being  both  lighter  than  the  enemy,  and  short-handed. 
Captain  Wickes  made  so  gallant  a  defence,  however,  that  the 
Shark  was  repulsed  with  loss,  and  li.e  American  got  into  the 
island  with  credit,  hundreds  having  witnessed  the  affair  from 
the  shore.  As  this  occurred  early  in  the  season,  and  before 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  Shark  followed  the  Re- 
prisal in,  and  her  captain  demanded  that  the  governor  should 
deliver  up  the  American  ship  as  a  pirate.  This  demand  was 
refused  of  course,  and  shortly  after  Captam  Wickes  returned 
home.  With  a  view  to  connect  the  train  of  events,  we  will 
now  follow  this  excellent  officer  to  the  European  seas. 

The  Reprisal  was  the  first  American  man-of-war  that  ever 
showed  herself  in  the  other  hemisphere.  She  sailed  from  home 
5* 


'  Y:'!?Wj<r,*j?!fl7W^" 


54 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1776. 


not  long  afler  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  appeared 
in  France  in  the  autumn  of  1776,  bringing  in  with  her  several 
prizes,  and  having  Dr.  Franklin  on  board  as  a  passenger.  A 
few  privateers  had  preceded  her,  and  slight  difficulties  had  oc- 
curred in  relation  to  some  of  their  prizes  that  had  gone  into 
Spain,  but  it  is  believed  these  were  the  first  English  captured 
ships  that  had  entered  France  since  the  commencement  of  the 
American  Revolution.  The  English  ambassador  complained 
of  this  infraction  of  the  treaty  between  the  two  countries,  but 
means  were  found  to  dispose  of  the  prizes  without  detection. 
The  Reprisal  having  refitted,  soon  sailed  towards  the  bay  of 
Biscay,  on  another  cruise.  Here  she  captured  several  more 
vessels,  and  among  the  rest  a  king's  packet  that  plied  between 
Falmouth  and  Lisbon.  When  the  cruise  was  up,  Captain 
Wickes  went  into  Nantes,  taking  his  prizes  with  him.  The 
complaints  of  the  English  now  became  louder,  and  the  Ameri- 
can commissioners  were  secretly  admonished  of  the  necessity 
of  using  greater  reserve.  The  prizes  were  directed  to  quit 
France,  though  the  Reprisal,  being  leaky,  was  suffered  to  re- 
main in  port,  in  order  to  refit.  The  former  were  taken  into 
the  offing,  and  sold ;  the  state  of  the  times  rendering  these  in- 
formal proceedings  necessary.  Enormous  losses  to  the  cap- 
tors weie  the  consequences,  while  it  is  not  improbable  that  the 
gains  of  the  purchasers  had  their  influence  in  blinding  the  lo- 
cal authorities  to  the  character  of  the  transaction.  The  busi- 
ness appears  to  have  been  managed  with  dexterity,  and  the 
proceeds  of  the  sales,  such  as  they  were,  proved  of  great  ser- 
vice to  the  agents  of  government,  by  enabling  them  to  pur- 
chase other  vessels. 

In  April  the  Lexington  14,  Captain  Johnston,  arrived  in 
France,  and  the  old  difficulties  were  renewed.  But  the  com- 
missioners at  Paris,  who  had  been  authorised  to  equip  vessels, 
appoint  officers  and  do  other  matters  to  annoy  the  enemy,  now 
planned  a  cruise  that  surpassed  any  thing  of  the  sort  that  had 
yet  been  attempted  in  Europe  under  the  American  flag.  Cap- 
tain Wickes  was  directed  to  proceed  to  sea,  with  his  own  ves- 
sel and  the  Lexington,  and  to  go  directly  off  Ireland,  in  order 
to  intercept  a  co.ivoy  of  linen  ships  that  was  expected  to  sail 
about  that  tim*".  A  cutter  of  ten  guns,  called  the  Dolphin, 
that  had  been  procured  by  the  commissioners  to  carry  des- 
patches to  America,  was  diverted  from  her  original  destination 
and  placed  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Wickes.  The  Dol- 
phin  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  S.  Nicholson,  a  brother 


[1776. 


1777.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


55 


nil). 


of  the  senior  captain,  and  a  gentleman  who  subsequently  died 
himself  at  the  head  of  the  service. 

Captain  Wickes,  in  command  of  this  light  squadron,  sailed 
from  Nantes  about  the  commencement  of  June,  going  first  into 
the  Bay  of  Biscay,  and  afterwards  entirely  around  Ireland, 
sweeping  the  sea  before  him  of  every  thing  that  was  not  of  a 
force  to  render  an  attack  hopeless.  The  linen  ships  were 
missed,  but  many  vessels  were  taken  or  destroyed.  As  the 
American  cruisers  approached  the  French  coast,  on  their  re- 
turn, a  line  of  battle  -ship  gave  chase,  and  followed  them  nearly 
into  port.  The  Lexington  and  Dolphin  appear  to  have  escaped 
without  much  difficulty,  by  separating ;  but  the  Reprisal  was 
so  hard  pressed,  as  to  be  obliged  to  saw  her  bulwarks,  and 
even  to  cut  away  some  of  her  timbers ;  expedients  that  were 
much  in  favour  among  the  seamen  of  the  day,  though  of  ques- 
tionable utility. 

This  was  the  first  exploit  of  the  kind  in  the  war,  and  its 
bo! !  ■"'«"•  and  success  seem  to  have  produced  so  much  sensa- 
tioi;  gland,  that  the  French  government  was  driven  to 

the  •■  .sity  of  entirely  throwing  aside  the  mask,  or  of  tak- 
ing some  more  decided  step  in  relation  to  these  cruisers.  Not 
being  yet  prepared  for  war,  it  resorted  to  the  latter  expedient. 
The  Reprisal  and  Lexington  were  ordered  to  be  seized,  and 
held  until  security  was  given  that  they  would  quit  the  Euro- 
pean seas,  while  the  prizes  were  commanded  to  leave  France 
without  delay.  The  latter  were  accordingly  taken  outside  the 
port,  and  disposed  of  to  French  merchants,  in  the  same  in- 
formal manner,  and  with  the  same  loss,  as  in  the  previous 
cases,  while  the  vessels  of  war  prepared  to  return  home. 

In  September  the  Lexington  sailed  from  Moriaix,  in  which 
port  she  had  taken  refuge  in  the  chase,  and  next  day  she  fell 
in  with  the  British  man-of-war-cutter  Alert,  Lieutenant  Bazely, 
a  vessel  of  a  force  a  trifle  less  than  her  own,  when  an  engage- 
ment took  place.  The  lightness  of  the  vessels,  and  the  rough- 
ness of  the  water,  rendered  the  fire  on  both  sides  very  ineffec- 
tive ;  and  after  an  action  of  two  hours  and  a  half,  the  Lexing- 
ton  had  expended  nearly  all  her  powder,  without  subduing  her 
gallant  opponent.  The  Alert,  however,  had  sufTercd  so  much 
aloft,  as  to  enable  the  brig  to  leave  her.  Notwithstanding  this 
advantage,  so  much  activity  was  shown  on  board  the  English 
vessel,  that,  after  a  chase  of  four  hours,  she  was  enabled  to 
get  alongside  of  the  Lexington  again,  while  the  latter  was  her- 
self repairing  damages.    A  one-sided  battle  now  occurred,  the 


I 


56 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1777. 


Lexington  not  having  it  in  her  power  to  keep  up  a  fire  of  any 
moment,  and  after  receiving  that  of  his  persevering  antago- 
nist for  another  hour,  Captain  Johnston  was  compelled  to 
strike,  to  save  the  lives  of  his  crew. 

The  fate  '■'  the  Reprisal,  a  vessel  that  had  even  been  more 
successful  .an  her  consoi-t,  was  still  harder.  This  sliip  also 
sailed  for  America,  agreeably  to  the  conditions  made  with  the 
French  government,  and  foundered  on  the  banks  of  Newfound- 
land, all  on  board  perishing  with  the  exception  of  the  cook. 
In  Captain  Wickes  the  country  lost  a  gallant,  prudent,  and 
efficient  ofiicer,  and  one  who  promised  to  rise  high  in  the  pro- 
fei^sion  had  his  life  been  spared. 

To  the  untimely  loss  of  the  Reprisal,  and  the  unfortunate 
capture  of  the  Lexington,  must  be  attributed  the  little  eclat 
that  attended  the  services  of  these  two  vessels  in  Europe.  They 
not  only  preceded  all  the  other  national  cruisers  in  the  Euro- 
pean seas,  but  they  did  great  positive  injury  */>  the  commerce 
of  the  enemy,  besides  exciting  such  a  feeling  of  insecurity  in 
the  English  merchants,  as  to  derange  their  plans,  and  to  pro- 
duce other  revolutions  in  the  course  of  trade,  that  will  be  ad- 
verted to  in  the  close  of  the  chapter. 

While  the  commissioners*  were  directing  the  movements  of 
Captain  Wickes,  in  the  manner  that  has  been  mentioned,  they 
were  not  idle  in  other  quarters.  A  small  frigate  was  building 
at  Nantes,  on  public  account,  and  there  will  be  occasion  here- 
after to  speak  of  her  services  and  loss,  under  the  name  of  the 
Queen  of  France.  Some  time  in  the  spring  of  1777,  an  agent 
was  sent  to  Dover  by  the  American  commissioners,  where  he 
purchased  a  fine,  fast-sailing  English-built  cutter,  and  had  her 
iarried  across  to  Dunkirk.  Here  she  was  privately  equipped 
as  a  cruiser,  and  named  the  Surprise.  To  the  command  of 
this  vessel  Captain  Gustavus  Conyngham  was  appointed,  by 
filling  up  a  blank  commission  from  John  Hancock,  the  Pres- 
ident of  Congress.  This  commission  bore  date  March  1st, 
1777,  and  it  would  seem,  as  fully  entitled  Mr.  Conyngham  to 
the  rank  of  a  captain  in  the  navy,  as  any  other  that  was  ever 
issued  by  the  same  authority.  Having  obtained  his  officers 
and  crew  in  Dunkirk,  Captain  Conyngham  sailed  on  a  cruise, 
about  the  1st  of  May,  and  on  the  4th  he  took  a  brig  called  the 
Joseph.  On  the  7th,  when  within  a  few  leagues  of  the  coast 
of  Holland,  the  Surprise  ran  alongside  of  the  Harwich  packet, 


*  Dr.  Franklin  and  Silas  Deane. 


1777.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


57 


the  Prince  of  Orange,  which  she  boarded  and  took  with  so  lit- 
tle previous  alarm,  that  Captain  Conyngham,  stepping  upon 
the  deck  of  his  prize,  walked  coolly  down  into  her  cabin, 
where  he  found  her  master  and  his  passengers  at  breakfast. 
The  mail  for  the  north  of  Europe  being  on  board  the  Prince 
of  Orange,  Captain  Conyngham  believed  his  acquisition  to  bo 
of  sufficient  importance  to  return  to  port,  and  accordingly  re- 
appeared at  Dunkirk  in  a  day  or  two. 

By  referring  to  the  dates,  it  will  be  seen,  though  both  the 
Reprisal  and  the  Lexington,  especially  the  first,  had  cruised 
in  the  European  seas  prior  to  the  sailing  of  the  Surprise,  that 
the  latter  vessel  performed  the  exploit  just  mentioned,  shortly 
before  Captain  Wickes  sailed  on  his  cruise  in  the  Irish  and 
English  Channels.  Coming  as  it  did  so  soon  after  the  cap- 
ture  of  the  Lisbon  packet,  and  occurring  on  one  of  the  great 
thoroughfares  between  England  and  the  cotitinent,  coupled 
with  the  fact  that  the  cutter  had  been  altogether  equipped  in  a 
French  port,  the  loss  of  the  Prince  of  Orange  appears  to  have 
attracted  more  attention  than  the  transactions  before  described. 
The  remonstrances  of  the  English  ambassador  were  so  earn- 
est, that  Captain  Conyngham  and  his  crew  were  imprisoned, 
the  cutter  was  seized,  and  the  prizes  were  liberated.  On  this 
occasion  the  commission  of  Captain  Conyngham  was  taken 
from  him,  and  sent  to  Versailles,  and  it  seems  never  to  have 
been  returned. 

So  completely  was  the  English  government  deceived  by  this 
demonstration  of  an  intention  on  the  part  of  the  French  min- 
istry to  cause  the  treaty  to  be  respected,  that  two  sloops  of 
war  were  actually  sent  to  Dunkirk  to  carry  Captain  Conyng- 
ham and  his  people  to  England,  that  they  might  be  tried  as 
pirates.  When  the  ships  reached  Dunkirk,  as  will  be  seen  in 
the  succeeding  events,  the  birds  had  flown. 

The  commissioners  had  in  view  the  capture  of  some  of 
the  transports  with  Hessian  troops  on  board,  and  they  were 
no  sooner  notified  of  the  seizure  of  the  Surprise,  than  Mr. 
Hodge,  an  agent  who  was  of  great  service  to  th6  cause,  was 
directed  to  procure  another  cutter.  One  was  accordingly  pur- 
chased at  Dunkirk,  and  fitted,  with  all  despatch,  for  a  cruise. 
Means  were  found  to  liberate  Captain  Conyngham  and  his  peo- 
ple, and  this  second  vessel,  which  was  called  the  Revenge, 
sailed  from  Dunkirk  on  the  18th  of  July,  or  about  the  time 
that  Captain  Wickes  returned  from  his  cruise  with  the  three 
other  vessels.     A  new  commission  had  been  obtained  for  Cap- 


StS 


^AVAL     HISTORY. 


•      tain  Conyncham  n..^  ■      ,  '       '  f*'^^* 

her  avails  .  -oving  of  great  '^^t^f]"'  .^''^^°  "^««y  arrived 
rican  government  in  Eu  0^'"^-"' '°  '^'  «S^"'«  oHhi  w' 
ney  advanced  to  Mr   a  i   '^^  .  ^'  "^  ^^en  affirmed  fhnt  m 

agents  in  8^      n    hor"t  '  ?f ^'"^  ^°''  ^''^m  by  bi^/or'iw' 

the  different  cruises  tth^S'^   ''^^  ^"tish   merchint.    K 
the  D-l;^     '^''>''  *°  ^«^e  been  greater  fJ??"^'^  correspond- 

woTr      ^-^  '!!"  ^^'"^  ^etterTthis'comn;"''^"'"   "^^^^   before 
woio,  CunninCTham  T"^.,       .       :  eommissioner  adde      <«  t 

expeditions,  is''  beo  ,iS T^^^^^  ^^  ^is  first  and  second  I^M 
insurance  in  or.        •  ' 


•I 


1776.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


59 


when  ten  per  cent,  was  asked  between  Dover  and  Calais,  a 
distance  of  only  seven  leagues. 

With  a  view  to  increase  the  naval  force  of  the  country,  the 
commissipners  had  caused  a  frigpto  of  extraordinary  size,  and 
of  peculiar  armament  and' construction  for  that  period,  to  be 
laid  down  at  Amsterdam.  This  ship  had  the  keel  and  sides 
of  a  two-decker,  though  frigate-built,  and  her  main  deck  arma- 
ment was  intended  to  consist  of  thirty-two  pounders.  Her 
name  was  the  Indien.  In  consequence  of  the  apprehen- 
sions of  the  Dutch  government,  and  the  jealousy  of  that  of 
England,  Congress  was  induced,  about  this  time,  to  make  an 
offering  of  the  Indien  to  Louis  XVI.,  and  she  was  equipped 
and  got  ready  for  sea,  as  a  French  vessel  of  war.  In  the  end, 
the  manner  in  which  this  frigate  was  brought  into  the  service 
of  one  of  the  new  American  States,  will  be  shown. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


It  is  now  necessary  to  revert  to  events  that  will  require  the 
time  to  be  carried  back  more  than  a  twelvemonth. 

Soon  after  the  British  left  Boston,  a  Captain  Mugford  ob- 
tained the  use  of  a  small  armed  vessel  belonging  to  govern- 
ment, called  the  Franklin,  and  getting  to  sea,  he  succeeded  in 
capturing  the  Hope,  a  ship  that  had  on  board  fifteen  hundred 
barrels  of  powder,  and  a  large  quantity  of  intrenching  tools, 
gun-carriages,  and  other  stores.  This  vessel  was  got  into 
Boston,  in  sight  of  the  British  squadron.  Attempting  another 
cruise  immediately  afterward^ ;,  Captain  Mugford  lost  his  life 
in  making  a  gallant  and  successful  effort  to  repel  some  of  the 
enemy's  boats,  which  had  endeavoured  to  carry  the  Franklin 
and  a  small  privateer  that  was  in  company,  by  boarding. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  or  two  days  after  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  the  Sachem  10,  Captain  Robinson,  sailed  from 
the  Delaware  on  a  cruise.  The  Sachem  was  sloop-rigged, 
and  one  of  the  lightest  cruisers  in  the  service.  When  a  few 
days  out  she  fell  in  with  an  English  letter  of  marque,  a  Ja- 
maica-man, and  captured  her,  after  a  sharp  contest.  Both 
vessels  are  said  to  have  suffered  severely  in  this  aflfair,  and  to 


-!►■   ■  -   niL>"in^  ■wwn^nT^i^wwow^,'  -"'m.  •vf.'i'm  v  ■■- 


60 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1776. 


i 


have  had  an  unusual  number  of  their  people  killed  and  wounded. 
Captain  Robinson  was  now  compelled  to  return  to  refit,  and 
arriving  at  Philadelphia  with  his  prize,  the  Marine  Committee 
rewarded  him  for  his  success  by  giving  him  the  command  of 
the  Andrea  Doria  14,  then  recently  returned  from  her  cruise 
to  the  eastward  under  Captain  Biddlo,  which  officer  had  been 
transferred  to  the  Randolph  32. 

The  Doria  sailed  shortly  after  for  St.  Eustatia,  to  bring 
home  some  arms ;  and  it  is  said  that  the  first  salute  ever  paid 
t(  ho  American  flag,  by  a  regular  government,  was  fired  in 
return  for  the  salute  of  the  Doria,  when  she  went  into  that 
island.  For  this  indiscretion  the  Dutch  governor  was  subse- 
quently displaced. 

On  her  return  passage,  off  the  western  end  of  Porto  Rico, 
the  Doria  made  an  English  vessel  of  war,  bearing  down  upon 
her  with  a  disposition  to  engage.  On  ranging  up  abeam,  the 
enemy  commenced  the  action  by  firing  a  broadside,  which  was 
immediately  returned  by  the  Doria.  A  very  sharp  contest  of 
two  hours  followed,  when  the  Englishman  struck.  The  prize 
proved  to  be  the  Racehorse  12,  Lieutenant  Jones,  who  had 
been  sent  by  his  admiral  to  cruise  expressly  for  the  Doria. 
Lieutenant  Jones  was  mortally  wounded,  and  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  Racehorse's  officers  and  crew  were  either  killed 
or  wounded.  The  Doria  lost  twelve  men,  including  all  the 
casualties.  Captain  Robinson  and  his  prize  got  safely  into 
Philadelphia,  in  due  season.  The  Doria  never  VfCnt  to  sea 
again,  being  shortly  after  burned  by  the  Americans  to  prevent 
her  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  British  fleet,  when  the  evacu- 
ation of  Fort  Mifflin  gave  the  enemy  the  command  of  the 
Delaware. 

The  galleys  in  the  Delaware  had  a  long  and  well-contested 
struggle  with  the  Roebuck,  44,  Captain  Hammond,  and  the 
Liverpool,  20,  Captain  Bellew,  about  the  first  of  May  of  this 
year.  The  cannonade  was  handsomely  conducted,  and  it  re- 
sulted in  driving  the  enemy  from  the  river.  During  this  affair, 
the  Wasp,  8,  Captain  Alexander^  was  active  and  conspicuous, 
cutting  out  a  tender  of  the  English  ships  from  under  their 
guns. 

A  spirited  attack  was  also  made  on  the  Phoenix,  44,  and 
Rose,  24,  in  the  Hudson,  on  the  third  of  August,  by  six 
American  galleys.  The  firing  was  heavy  and  well  maintained 
for  two  hours,  both  sides  suffering  materially.  On  the  part 
of  the  galleys,  eighteen  men  were  killed  and  wounded,  and 


1776.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


81 


several  guns  wore  dismounted  by  shot.  The  loss  of  the 
enemy  is  not  known,  though  both  vessels  woro  repeatedly 
hulled. 

By  this  time  the  whole  coast  was  alive  with  adventures  of 
such  a  nature,  scarcely  a  week  passing  that  did  not  give  rise 
to  some  incident  that  would  have  interest  for  the  reader,  uid 
the  limits  of  our  work  permit  us  to  enter  into  the  details. 
Wherever  an  enemy's  cruiser  appeared,  or  attempted  to  land, 
skirmishes  ensued ;  and  in  some  of  these  little  affairs  as  much 
personal  gallantry  and  ingenuity  were  displayed  as  in  many 
of  the  more  important  combats.  The  coast  of  New  England 
generally,  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  coast  of  the  Carolinas, 
were  the  scenes  of  most  of  these  minor  exploits,  which,  like  all 
the  subordinate  incidents  of  a  great  struggle,  are  gradually 
becoming  lost  in  the  more  engrossing  events  of  the  war. 

October  12th,  of  this  year,  an  armed  British  brig,  the  name 
of  which  has  been  lost,  fitted  out  by  the  government  of  the 
Island  of  Jamaica,  made  an  attempt  on  a  small  convoy  of 
American  vessels,  off  Cape  Nicola  Mole,  in  the  West-mdies, 
then  in  charge  of  the  privateer  Ranger,  18,  Captain  Hudson. 
Perceiving  the  aim  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Hudson  ran  under 
her  stern,  and  gave  her  a  severe  raking  fire.  The  action  thus 
commenced,  lasted  nearly  two  hours,  when  the  Ranger 
boarded,  and  carried  the  brig,  hand  to  hand.  The  English 
vessel,  in  this  affair,  reported  thirteen  men  killed  and  wounded, 
by  the  raking  broadside  of  the  Ranger  alone.  In  the  whole, 
she  had  between  thirty  and  forty  of  her  people  injured.  On 
her  return  from  this  cruise,  the  Ranger  was  purchased  for  the 
navy. 

In  order  to  command  the  Lakes  Champlain  and  George, 
across  which  lay  the  ancient  and  direct  communication  with 
the  Canadas,  flotillas  had  been  constructed  on  both  those  wa- 
ters, by  the  Americans.  To  resist  this  force,  and  with  a  view 
to  co-operate  with  the  movements  of  their  troops;;  the  British 
commenced  the  construction  of  vessels  at  St.  John's.  Several 
men-of-war  were  laid  up,  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  their  offi- 
cers and  crews  were  transferred  to  the  shipping  built  on  Lake 
Champlain. 

October  11th,  General  Arnold,  who  commanded  the  American 
flotilla,  was  lying  off  Cumberland  Head,  when  at  eight  in  the 
morning,  the  enemy  appeared  in  force,  to  the  northward, 
turning  to  windward  with  a  view  to  engage.  On  that  day  the 
American  vessels  present,  consisted  of  the  Royal  Savage,  1 2, 
6 


62 


NAVAL     HISTORV. 


Guns,     90, 
Metal,  647  lbs. 

,  On  this  occa.l'"iheTitilh''!;^'"^u^°'^'^"- 

«.«.  preceded  .he'Zte''  ST"""'  ">"  "«™?  moS  °S 
Carlelon,  was  preseni  i!        "  ^'e"'enant.Gcneral  ZJ^ 

1  ne  action  of  thp  iitu    e  ^ 

efficient  in  smooth  water    %ir''',rs'^*  °f '"etal.  weTe  ver J 

ftre  for  several  hours,  Captain  pl  ,-^%'",. "maintaining  a  hot 
the  vessels  that  were  eneaS  «  7^^'^  Judiciously  called  off 
^ith  an  intenfinn  ♦  ^"^aged,  anchor  ne  lust  nut  Z-*^""^^  ott 
affair  7h»  a"  ^®  ^^"^^  the  attack  in  fhi  -^^  g"n-shot, 

anair  the  Americans,  whn  Kn^  -^  *"®  mornmff.     Tn  thiJ 

throughout  the  davh„7u  ^^^  »nani/ested  great  ^fp„!? 
thM  R^.f.-  u      ,  "ay,  had  about  60  hiu^A       ,&'^c«^^  steadmess 
the  British  acknowledged  a  iL.     r      ^    ^"^  wounded,  while 


[1776. 


1776.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


63 


count  of  tho  gondolas,  which  weru  unable  to  turn  to  windward. 
In  tho  evening  the  wind  moderated,  when  the  Americans  gained 
materially  oi»  their  pursuers.  Another  change  occurred,  how- 
ever, and  a  singular  variation  in  the  currents  of  air,  now  fa- 
voured tho  enemy ;  for  while  the  Americans  in  tho  narrow 
part  of  tho  lake,  were  contending  with  a  fresh  southerly  breeze, 
tho  English  got  tho  wind  at  northeast,  which  brought  their 
leading  vessels  within  gunshot  at  12,  meridian,  on  the  13th. 

On  this  occasion.  Captain  Pringle,  in  the  Maria »  led  in  per- 
son, closely  supported  by  the  Inflexible  and  Carleton.  The 
Americans  were  much  scattered,  several  of  their  gondolas 
having  beei  sunk  and  abandoned,  on  account  of  the  impossi- 
bility of  bringing  them  off.  General  Arnold,  in  tho  Congress 
galley,  covered  the  rear  of  his  retreating  flotilla,  having  the 
Washington  gclley,  on  board  of  which  was  Brigadier-General 
Waterbury,  in  company.  The  latter  had  been  much  shattered 
in  the  fight  of  the  11th,  and  after  receiving  a  few  close  broad- 
sides, she  was  compelled  to  strike.  General  Arnold  now  de- 
fended himself  like  a  lion,  in  the  Congress,  occupying  the  three 
vessels  of  the  enemy  so  long  a  time,  as  loanable  six  of  his 
little  fleet  to  escape.  When  further  resistance  was  out  of  the 
question,  he  ran  the  Congress  on  shore,  set  fire  to  her,  and  she 
blew  up  with  her  colours  flying. 

Although  the  result  of  this  action  was  so  disastrous,  the 
American  arms  gained  much  credit  by  the  obstinacy  of  the  re- 
sistance. Genera!  Arnold,  in  particular,  covered  himself  with 
glory,  and  his  example  appears  to  have  been  nobly  followed  by 
most  of  his  officers  and  men.  Even  the  enemy  did  justice  to 
the  resolution  and  skill  with  which  the  American  flotilla  was 
managed,  the  disparity  in  the  force  rendering  victory  out  of 
the  question  from  the  first.  Tho  manner  in  which  the  Con- 
gress was  fought  until  she  had  covered  tho  retreat  of  the  gal- 
leys, and  tho  stubborn  resolution  with  which  she  was  defended 
until  destroyed,  converted  the  disasters  of  this  part  of  the  day, 
into  a  species  of  triumph. 

In  these  affair?,  the  Americans  lost  eleven  vessels,  princi- 
pally gondolas ;  ^vhile  on  the  part  of  the  British,  two  gondolas 
were  sunk,  and  one  blown  up.  The  loss  of  men  was  supposed 
to  be  about  equal,  no  less  than  sixty  of  the  enemy  perishing  in 
the  gondola  that  blew  up.  This  statement  differs  from  the 
published  ofliicial  accounts  of  the  English  ;  but  those  reports, 
besides  being  meagre  and  general,  are  contradicted  by  too 
much  testimony  on  the  other  side,  to  command  our  respect. 


v^. 


64 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[177G-77. 


Thoro  has  Ummi  (Mvusion,  already,  to  montion  Mr.  John 
Muiily,  who,  in  ooinniaiid  of  thu  schiKmer  lioo,  umilo  tlio  tirut 
ca|>tuw'M  that  oc-ourreil  in  tho  war.  The  nctivily  and  rt;solu. 
tion  oi'lhiH  oilicor,  rondrrcd  liiN  nanui  contipicuouH  ut  thu  com- 
nienconiont  of  the  Htru^glr,  and  it  followed  nH  n  natural  consuo 
({uonco,  that,  when  CongruMM  regidatcd  thu  rank  of  thu  eaptainM, 
in  177U,  hu  ap|)c>arM  an  ono  of  thoni,  hin  appointment  having 
hnivn  made  aH  early  an  April  thu  17th,  of  this  year.  So  highly, 
indeed,  were  his  services  then  apprwiated,  that  th(j  irnnio  of 
(!!bptain  Manly  Htands  seeond  on  the  litit,  and  lie  was  appointod 
lo  the  eonunanil  of  tho  Hancock,  UVJ.  When  Captain  Manly 
was  tuk(>n  into  tho  navy,  thu  Leo  was  given  to  Captain  Wa- 
ters, and  was  present  at  th«^  eapturo  of  tho  three  transports  oft' 
Jtoston,  ns  has  btn^n  alivudy  stated.  This  little  schooner,  tho 
name  of  which  will  over  remain  asswiated  with  American  his- 
tory,  in  consequence  of  her  alUiniportunt  canturcs  in  1775, 
np|K<ars  to  have  continued  actively  employed,  as  an  in-shoro 
cruiser,  throughout  this  year,  if  not  later,  in  tho  pay  of  tho 
new  state  of  Massachusetts.  Captain  Waters,  liko  his  prcde- 
cessor.  Captain  Manly,  was  received  into  tho  navy  on  tho 
nM'ommendation  ot'  Washington,  a  commission  to  that  ctrect 
huvuig  been  grunted  by  Congress,  March  itith,  1777. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  year  1777  opened  with  better  prospects  for  the  Ameri- 
can cause.  The  hardy  movements  of  Washington  in  New 
Jersey  had  restored  the  drooping  confidence  of  tho  ration,  and 
great  eflbrts  were  made  to  follow  up  the  advantage  that  had 
been  so  gloriously  obtained.  Most  of  the  vessels  authorised  by 
the  laws  of  1775,  had  been  built  and  equipped  during  the  year 
1776;  and  America  may  now  bo  soid,  for  the  first  time,  to 
hr  ve  hud  something  like  a  regular  navy,  although  the  service 
was  still,  and  indeed  continued  to  be  throughout  the  war,  de- 
ficient in  organization,  system,  and  unity.  Afier  the  first  ef- 
fort connected  with  its  creation,  the  business  of  repairing  losses, 
of  increasing  the  force,  and  of  perfecting  that  which  had 
been  so  hastily  commenced,  was  cither  totally  neglected, 


I  I 


1778.] 


NAVAL     HISTOIIY. 


03 


or  carried  on  in  a  manner  ho  desultory  and  incfTicicnt,  an  noon 
to  lottvo  very  little  of  method  or  order  in  the  murine.  Ah  a  con- 
Be(|U('n(!0,  ollicc'rn  were  constantly  compelled  to  seek  employ- 
ment in  private  armed  Mhi|>H,  or  to  remaui  idle,  and  the  diuci- 
plino  did  not  advance,  uh  would  otherwiHU  havu  been  tlio  caso 
during  the  heat  of  nn  uctivo  war.  To  the  noccsHitieH  of  the 
nation,  how(!ver,  r.nd  not  to  n  want  of  foresight  and  prudence, 
nniHt  1)0  attributed  this  Htate  of  things,  the  means  of  raising  and 
maintaining  troopH  being  obtained  with  didkulty,  and  tho  cost 
of  many  ships  etitiroly  exceeding  its  resources.  I>  s  probable, 
had  not  the  public  armed  vessels  been  found  useful  in  convey- 
ing, us  well  us  in  convoying  the  produce,  by  means  of  which 
the  loans  obtained  in  Kuropo  were  met,  and  perhaps  indispcr*- 
sable  to  keeping  up  tho  diplomatic  communications  with  that 
quarter  of  tho  world,  that  the  navy  would  have  been  suffered 
to  become  extinct,  beyond  its  employment  in  the  buys  and 
rivers  of  the  country.  This,  however,  is  anticipating  events,  **  " 
ut  the  precise  moment  in  tho  incidents  of  tho  war  at  which  At 
hnvo  now  arrived,  tho  exertions  of  the  republic  were  perhapi.  ut 
their  height,  as  respects  its  naval  armaments. 

One  of  the  first,  if  not  tho  very  first  of  tho  new  vessels  that 
got  to  sen,  was  tho  Randolph  32.  It  has  Ixjen  seen  thut  Cap- 
tain Hiddio  was  appointed  to  this  ship,  on  his  return  from  his 
successful  cruise  in  the  Andrea  Doriu  14.  Tho  Randolph  m  ts 
luunched  at  Philadelphia  in  the  course  of  the  season  of  1776, 
and  sailed  on  her  first  cruise  early  in  1777.  Discovering  a 
defect  in  his  masts,  as  well  us  a  disposition  to  mutiny  in  his 
people,  too  many  of  whom  were  volunteers  from  among  the 
prisonci's,  Captain  Biddic  put  into  Charleston  for  repairs.  As 
soon  as  the  ship  was  refitted,  he  sailed  again,  nnd  three  days 
out,  ho  fell  in  with  and  captured  four  Jama!'"- <!-,  .n,  one  of 
which,  tho  True  Briton,  had  an  armament  of  iiu  guns.  The 
Randolph  returned  to  Charleston  with  her  prizes,  in  safety. 
Here  she  appears  to  have  been  blockaded  by  a  superior  Eng- 
lish force,  during  the  remainder  of  the  seujion.  The  state  au- 
thorities of  South  Carolina  were  so  mu  h  pleased  with  the  zeal 
and  deportment  of  Captain  Biddle,  that  they  now  added  four 
small  cruisers  of  their  own,  the  General  Moultrie  18,  the  Polly 
16,  the  Notre  Dame  16,  and  the  Fair  American  14,  to  his 
command.  With  these  vessels  in  company,  and  under  his  or- 
ders, Captain  Biddle  sailed  early  in  1778,  in  quest  of  the  Bri- 
tish ships,  the  Carrysfort  32,  the  Perseus  20,  the  Hinchinbrook 
16,  and  a  privateer,  which  had  been  cruising  off  Charleston  for 
0* 


: 


V 


66 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1778. 


some  time.  The  American  squadron,  however,  had  been  de- 
tained so  long  by  foul  winds,  that,  when  it  got  into  the  offing, 
no  traces  of  the  enemy  were  to  be  discovered.  For  the  further 
history  of  the  Randolph,  we  are  unhappily  indebted  to  the 
British  accounts. 

By  a  letter  from  Captain  Vincent,  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's 
ship  Yarmouth  64,  dated  March  17th,  1778,  we  learn  that, 
on  the  7th  of  that  month,  while  cruising  to  the  eastward  of 
Barbadoes,  he  made  six  sail  to  tho  southwest,  standing  on  a 
wind.  The  Yarmouth  bore  down  on  the  chases,  which  proved 
to  be  two  ships,  three  brigs  and  a  schooner.  About  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening  she  succeeded  in  ranging  up  on  the 
weather  quarter  of  the  largest  and  leading  vessel  of  the  stran- 
gers ;  the  ship  next  in  size  being  a  little  astern  and  to  leeward. 
Hoisting  her  own  colours,  the  Yarmouth  ordered  the  nearest 
ship  to  show  her  ensign,  when  the  American  flag  was  run  up, 
and  the  enemy  poured  in  a  broadside.  A  smart  action  now 
conimenced,  and  was  maintained  with  vigour  for  twenty 
minutes,  when  the  stranger  blew  up.  The  two  ships  were  so 
near  each  other  at  the  time,  that  many  fragments  of  the  wreck 
stiuck  the  Yarmouth,  and  ^mong  other  things,  an  American 
ensign,  rolled  up,  was  blown  in  upon  her  forecastle.  This  flag 
was  not  even  singed.  The  vessels  in  company  now  steered 
different  ways,  and  the  Yarmouth  gave  chase  to  two,  varying 
her  own  course  for  that  purpose.  But  her  sails  had  suffered 
so  much  in  the  engagement,  that  the  vessels  chased  soon  run 
her  out  of  sight.  In  this  short  action  the  Yarmouth,  by  the 
report  of  her  own  commander,  had  five  men  killed  and  twelve 
wounded.  On  the  12th,  while  cruising  near  the  same  place,  a 
piece  of  wreck  was  discovered,  with  four  men  on  it,  who  were 
making  signals  lor  relief.  These  men  were  saved,  and  when 
they  got  on  board  the  Yarmouth,  they  reported  themselvey  as 
having  belonged  to  the  United  States  ship  Randolph  32,  Cap- 
tain Biddle,  the  vessel  that  had  blown  up  in  action  with  the 
English  ship  on  the  night  of  the  7th  of  the  same  month. 
They  had  been  floating  ever  since  on  the  piece  of  wreck,  with- 
out any  other  sustenance  than  a  little  rain-water.  They  stated 
that  they  were  a  month  out  of  Charleston. 

We  regard  with  admiration  the  steadiness  and  spirit  with 
which,  according  to  the  account  of  his  enemy.  Captain  Biddle 
commenced  this  action,  against  a  force  so  vastly  his  superior ; 
and,  although  victory  was  almost  hopeless,  even  had  all  his 
vessels  behaved  equally  well  with  his  own  ship,  we  find  it  dif- 


1777.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


67 


ficult,  under  the  circumstances,  to  suppose  that  this  gallant 
seaman  did  not  actually  contemplate  carrying  his  powerful  an* 
tagonist,  most  probably  by  boarding. 

In  March,  1777,  the  United  States  brig  Cabot,  Captain  OU 
ney,  was  chased  ashore,  on  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  by  the 
British  frigate  Milford,  which  pressed  the  Cabot  so  hard  that 
there  was  barely  time  to  get  the  people  out  of  her.  Captain 
Oiney  and  his  crew  retreated  into  the  woods,  and  subsequently 
they  made  their  escape  by  seizing  a  schooner,  in  which  they 
safely  arrived  at  home.  The  enemy,  after  a  long  trial,  got 
the  Cabot  off,  and  she  was  taken  into  the  British  navy. 

Shortly  after  this  loss,  or  on  the  19th  of  April,  the  Trum- 
bull 28,  Captain  Saltonstall,  fell  in  with,  off  New  York,  and 
captured  after  a  smart  action,  two  armed  transports,  with 
stores  of  value  on  board.  In  this  affair  the  enemy  suffered 
severely,  and  the  Trumbull  herself  had  7  men  killed  and  8 
wounded. 

The  following  month  the  Hancock  32,  Captain  Manly,  and 
Boston  24,  Captain  M'Neil,  sailed  on  a  cruise  to  the  eastward. 
Towards  the  middle  of  May  they  made  a  sail  to  windward, 
and  gave  chase.  The  Hancock  being  the  fastest  sailer  ap- 
preached  the  stranger,  a  British  frigate,  first ;  the  two  vessels 
crossing  each  other  on  opposite  tacks,  and  exchanging  broad- 
sides in  passing,  at  long  shot.  The  American  immediately 
tacked  and  continued  to  gain  on  the  chase.  As  soon  as  she 
got  within  range  of  the  stranger,  the  latter  re-opened  his  fire, 
but  Captain  Manly  sent  his  people  to  their  breakfast,  finding 
that  little  harm  was  done.  In  a  short  time  the  Hancock  had 
got  far  enough  ahead  and  to  windward  to  open  her  fire,  when 
the  action  commenced  in  earnest.  After  a  close  and  warm 
engagement  of  an  hour  and  thirty-five  minutes,  the  enemy 
struck.  At  this  time,  or  while  the  Hancock  was  lowering  her 
boat  to  take  possession,  the  Boston  came  down  from  a  wea- 
therly  position  she  had  gained,  and,  it  is  said,  fired  a  broad- 
side at  the  captured  ship.  Captain  Manly  rebuked  his  consort, 
and  the  cannonade  ceased  altogether.  The  prize  proved  to  be 
the  Fox  28,  Captain  Fotheringham.  Her  loss  was  heavy,  hav- 
ing no  less  than  32  men  killed.  The  Hancock  had  8  killed 
and  13  wounded. 

Manning  her  prize,  the  Hancock  now  proceeded  off  Hali- 
fax, the  Boston  in  company.  The  vessels  appeared  before  the 
port  on  the  first  day  of  June.  This  brought  out  the  Rainbow 
44,  Captain  Sir  George  Collier,  with  the  Flora  32,  and  Victor 


^...«><!a3*M''M*<«r*'  <' 


•w^  ]*wpnpm 


68 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1777. 


The  Flora  gave  chase  to  the  Fox,  the  Boston  being 
a  league  to  windward,  while  the  Rainbow  and  Victor 


brig, 
about 

pursued  the  Hancock.  The  Fox  was  captured  after  a  short 
action,  the  Boston  keeping  aloof,  and  eventually  escaping. 
The  wind  fell,  and  Captain  Manly  was  induced  to  lighten  his 
ship.  This  destroyed  her  trim,  and  it  is  thought  occasioned 
her  loss.  She  was  captured  by  the  Rainbow  and  the  Victor. 
The  enemy  took  the  Hancock  into  their  service,  calling  her 
the  Iris.  She  proved  to  be  one  of  the  fastest  vessels  they  had, 
but  was  eventually  taken  by  the  French  in  the  West-Indies. 
Capt.  M'Neil  was  dismissed  the  service  for  his  bad  conduct  on 
these  two  occasions. 

The  occupation  of  Philadelphia  by  the  British  army,  this 
year,  wrought  a  material  change  in  the  naval  arrangements 
of  the  country.  Up  to  this  time,  the  Delaware  had  been  a 
safe  place  of  retreat  for  the  different  cruisers,  and  ships  had 
been  constructed  on  its  banks  in  security  and  to  advantage. 
Philadelphia  offered  unusual  facilities  for  such  objects,  and 
many  public  and  private  armed  cruisers  had  been  equipped  at 
her  wharves,  previously  to  the  appearance  of  the  British  forces 
under  Sir  William  Howe.  That  important  event  completely 
altered  the  state  of  things,  and  the  vessels  that  were  in  the 
stream  at  the  time,  were  compelled  to  move  higher  up  the  river, 
or  to  get  to  sea  in  the  best  manner  they  could.  Unfortunately, 
several  of  the  ships  constructed,  or  purchased,  under  the  laws 
of  1775  were  not  in  a  situation  to  adopt  the  latter  expedient, 
and  they  were  carried  to  different  places  that  were  supposed 
to  offer  the  greatest  security. 

As  a  part  of  the  American  vessels  and  galleys  were  above, 
and  a  part  below  the  town,  the  very  day  after  reaching  the 
capital,  the  English  commenced  the  erection  of  batteries  to  in- 
tercept the  communications  between  them.  Aware  of  the  con- 
sequences, the  Delaware  24,  Captain  Alexander,  and  the  An- 
drea Doria  14,  seconded  by  some  other  vessels,  belonging  to 
the  navy,  and  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  moved  in  front  of 
these  works,  and  opent '  a  cannonade,  with  a  view  to  destroy 
them.  The  Delaware  was  so  unfortunately  placed,  that  when 
the  tide  fell,  she  took  the  ground,  and  her  guns  became  un- 
manageable. Some  field-pieces  were  brought  to  bear  on  her, 
while  in  this  helpless  situation,  and  she  necessarily  struck. 
The  other  vessels  were  compelled  to  retire. 

As  the  command  of  the  river  was  indispensable  to  the  Brit- 
ish, they  now  turned  their  attention  at  once  to  the  destruction 


n- 
to 


1777.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


69 


of  the  American  works  below  the  town.  An  unsuccessful 
land  attack  was  made  by  the  Hessians,  on  Red  Bank,  and  this 
was  soon  followed  by  another  on  Fort  Mifflin,  which,  as  it 
was  entrusted  to  the  shipping,  comes  more  properly  within  our 
observation.  With  a  view  to  effect  the  reduction  or  abandon* 
ment  of  Fort  Mifflin,  the  British  assembled  a  squadron  of  ships 
of  a  light  draft  of  water,  among  which  was  the  Augusta  64, 
which  had  been  partially  stripped,  and  fitted  in  some  measure 
as  a  floating  battery.  As  soon  as  the  troops  advanced  against 
Red  Bank,  as  stated,  the  ships  began  to  move,  but  some  che- 
vaux  de  frise  anchored  in  the  river,  had  altered  its  channel, 
and  the  Augusta,  and  the  Merlin  sloop  of  war,  got  fast,  in  un- 
favourable positions.  Some  firing  between  the  other  vessels 
and  the  American  works  and  galleys  now  took  place,  but  was 
soon  put  a  stop  to  by  the  approach  of  night.  The  next  day 
the  action  was  renewed  with  spirit,  the  Roebuck  44,  Isis  32, 
Pearl  32,  and  Liverpool  28,  being  present,  in  addition  to  the 
Augusta  and  Merlin.  Fire-ships  were  ineffectually  employed 
by  the  Americans,  but  the  cannonade  became  heavy.  In  the 
midst  of  the  firing,  it  is  said  that  some  pressed  hay,  which 
had  been  secured  on  the  quarter  of  the  Augusta,  to  render  her 
shot-proof,  took  fire,  and  the  ship  was  soon  in  flames.  It  now 
became  necessary  to  withdraw  the  other  vessels,  in  order  to 
esc>ape  the  effects  of  the  explosion,  and  the  attack  was  aban< 
doned.  The  Augusta  blew  up,  and  the  Merlin  having  been 
set  on  fire  by  the  British  shared  the  same  fate.  A  number  of 
the  crew  of  the  Augusta  were  lost  in  that  ship,  the  conflagra- 
tion being  so  rapid  as  to  prevent  their  removal.  A  second  and 
better-concerted  attack,  however,  shortly  after,  compelled  the 
Americans  to  evacuate  the  works,  when  the  enemy  got  com- 
mand of  the  river  from  the  capes  to  the  town.  This  state  of 
things  induced  the  Americans  to  destroy  the  few  sea  vessels 
that  remained  below  Philadelphia,  among  which  were  the  U. 
S.  brig  Andrea  Doria  14,  and  schooner  Wasp  8,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved the  Hornet  10 ;  though  the  galleys,  by  following  the  Jer- 
sey shore,  were  enabled  to  escape  above. 

While  these  important  movements  were  occurring  in  the 
middle  states,  the  Raleigh,  a  fine  twelve-pounder  frigate,  that 
had  hpo,n  constructed  in  New  Hampshire,  under  the  law  of 
1775,  vvas  enabled  to  get  to  sea  for  the  first  time.  She  wa*^ 
commanded  by  Captain  Thompson,  and  sailed  in  company 
with  the  Alfred  24,  Captain  Hinman.    These  two  ships  went 


■fi 


In 


70 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1777. 


*' 


to  sea,  short  of  mea,  bound  to  France,  where  military  stores 
were  in  waiting  to  be  transported  to  America. 

The  Raleigh  and  Alfred  had  a  good  run  off  the  coast,  and 
they  made  several  prizes  {  little  value  during  the  first  few 
days  of  their  passage.  On  the  2d  of  September  they  over- 
took and  captured  a  sno\/,  caUed  the  Nancy,  which  had  been 
left  by  the  outward-bour  1  \*  indward  Island  fleet,  the  previous 
day.  Ascertaining  from  his  prisoners  the  position  of  the  West- 
Indiamen,  Captain  Thompson  made  sail  in  chase.  The  fleet 
was  under  the  charge  of  the  Camel,  Druid,  Weasel,  and  Grass- 
hopper, the  first  of  which  is  said  to  have  had  an  armament  of 
twelve-pounders.  The  following  day,  or  September  3d,  1777, 
the  Raleigh  made  the  convoy  from  her  mast-heads,  and  by 
sunset  was  near  enough  to  ascertain  that  there  were  sixty  sail, 
as  well  as  the  positions  of  the  men-of-war.  Captain  Thomp- 
son had  got  the  signals  of  the  fleet  from  his  prize,  and  he  now 
signalled  the  Alfred,  as  if  belonging  to  the  convoy.  After 
dark  he  spoke  his  consort,  and  directed  her  commander  to 
keep  near  him,  it  being  his  intention  to  run  in  among  the  ene- 
my, and  to  lay  the  commodore  aboard.  At  this  time,  the  two 
American  ships  were  to  windward,  but  nearly  astern. 

In  the  course  of  the  night  the  wind  shifted  to  the  northward, 
and  the  convoy  hauled  by  the  wind,  bringing  the  American 
ships  to  leeward.  At  daylight  the  wind  had  freshened,  and  it 
became  necessary  to  carry  more  sail  than  the  Alfred  (a  ten- 
der-sided ship)  could  bear.  Here  occurred  one  of  those  in- 
stances of  the  unfortunate  consequences  which  must  always 
follow  the  employment  of  vessels  of  unequal  qualities  in  the 
same  squadron,  or  the  employment  of  officers  not  trained  in 
the  same  high  school.  The  Alfred  would  not  bear  her  can- 
vass, and  while  the  Raleigh  fetched  handsomely  into  the  fleet, 
under  double-reefed  topsails,  the  former  fell  to  leeward  more 
than  a  league.  Captain  Thompson  did  not  dare  to  shorten 
sail,  lest  his  character  might  be  suspected,  and  despairing  of 
being  supported  by  the  Alfred,  he  stood  boldly  in  among  the 
British  sh'ps  alone,  where  he  hove  his  ship  to,  in  order  to  per- 
mit the  merchantmen  astern  to  draw  more  ahead  of  him. 

When  his  plan  was  laid.  Captain  Thompson  filled  away, 
and  stood  directly  through  the  convoy,  luffing  up  towards  the 
vessel  of  war  that  was  most  to  windward.  In  doing  this  he 
spoke  several  of  the  merchantmen,  giving  them  orders  how  to 
steer,  as  if  belonging  himself  to  the  fleet,  and  repeating  all  the 
commodore's  signals.   Up  to  this  moment  the  Raleigh  appears 


I 


1777.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


71 


can- 
fleet, 
more 
horten 
ngof 
ig  the 
o  per- 

iway, 

is  the 
lis  he 
low  to 
Jill  the 
Ipears 


to  have  escaped  detection,  nor  had  she  had  any  signs  of  pre- 
pai-ation  about  her,  as  her  guns  were  housed,  and  her  ports 
lowered. 

Having  obtained  a  weatherly  position,  the  Raleigh  now  ran 
alongside  of  the  vessel  of  war,  and  when  within  pistol-shot,  she 
hauled  up  her  courses,  ran  out  her  guns,  set  her  ensign,  and 
commanded  the  enemy  to  strike.  So  completely  was  this  ves- 
sel taken  by  surprise,  that  the  order  threw  her  into  great  con- 
fusion, and  even  her  sails  got  aback.  The  Raleigh  seized  this 
favourable  moment  to  pour  in  a  broadside,  which  was  feebly 
returned.  The  enemy  were  soon  driven  from  their  guns,  and 
the  Raleigh  fired  twelve  broadsides  into  the  English  ship  in 
twenty  minutes,  scarcely  receiving  a  shot  in  return.  A  heavy 
swell  rendered  the  aim  uncertain,  but  it  was  evident  that  the 
British  vessel  suflfered  severely,  and  this  the  more  so,  as  she 
was  of  inferior  force. 

A  squall  had  come  on,  and  at  first  it  shut  in  the  two  ships 
engaged.  When  it  cleared  away,  the  convoy  was  seen  steer- 
ing in  all  directions,  in  the  utmost  cor;  fusion ;  but  the  vessels 
of  war,  with  several  heavy  well-armed  West-Indiamen,  tacked 
and  hauled  up  for  the  Raleigh,  leaving  no  doubt  of  their  inten- 
tions to  engage.  The  frigate  lay  by  her  adversary  until  the 
other  vessels  were  so  near,  that  it  became  absolutely  necessary 
to  quit  her,  and  then  she  ran  to  leeward  and  joined  the  Alfred. 
Here  she  shortened  sail,  and  waited  for  the  enemy  to  come 
down,  but  it  being  dark,  the  British  commodore  tacked  and 
hauled  in  among  his  convoy  again.  The  Raleigh  and  Alfred 
kept  near  this  fleet  for  several  days ;  but  no  provocation  could 
induce  the  vessels  of  war  to  come  out  of  it,  and  it  was  finally 
abandoned. 

The  ship  engaged  by  the  Raleigh,  proved  to  be  the  Druid 
20,  Captain  Carteret.  She  was  much  cut  up,  and  the  official 
report  of  her  commander,  made  her  loss  six  killed,  and  twenty- 
six  wounded.  Of  the  latter,  five  died  soon  after  the  action,  and 
among  the  wounded  was  her  commander.  The  Druid  was 
unable  to  pursue  the  voyage,  and  returned  to  England. 

The  Raleigh  had  three  men  killed  and  wounded  in  the  en- 
gagement, and  otherwise  sustained  but  little  injury. 

On  the  14th  of  June  of  this  year.  Congress  first  adopted  the 
stars  and  stripes  as  the  national  flag. 


S""9?-'',;:,J{*'  , 


72 


NAVAL     tl  IB  TORY 


H778. 


I 

t 


OITAPTER  VIII. 

Thb  year  1778  opened  with  still  more  f)ioorful  pi()spo(V.s 
for  the  grtjat  causo  of  Amcric.su  IndoprnJ' nco ;  the  cuptucu 
of  Bursfoyno,  anl  the  growing  liisoontouls  i* ,  Europe,  londcr- 
j>iji  a  Fi-ench  nlliunco,  and  a  Kuiopcan  war,  daily  more  pro- 
bublo.  These  events,  in  trinh,  siion  nllcr  followed  ;  aad  iVotn 
thf\t  momemt,  tho  eiUiro  policy  of  t!u  United  Kilatcs.  as  roluttd 
to  Us  jnoripr,  was  chauj^d.  Previously  to  this  ^o'ou-  event, 
l/'ongiTMs  hnj  lilun  turned  its  attcfition  towai'ds  tho  ncvossity 
of  building  or  (un'ch'Vfini?  vcbsoIh  of  iurcc,  in  order  to  counteract 
tho  absolute  ooiavoi  >  liich  Ui  >  iMicmy  possessed,  in  tho  inune- 
diuto  waters  of  U.o  tountry,  and  which  even  supci-sedcd  the 
necessity  of  ordinary  bltxjkiuics,  as  two  orihroe  heavy  irigates 
had  btvn  .'ible  at  any  time  since  tho  coininenccmont  oi"  the 
struggle,  to  coiiuimnd  the  ontranco  of  tho  diflercnt  b*->  vh  and 
sounds. 

Tho  French  fleet,  soon  after  the  commoncement  of  hc^tili- 
tios  beiwpon  lingland  and  France,  apjicared  in  tho  American 
Beas,  and,  in  a  measure,  relieved  tho  country  from  a  species 
of  warfan^  that  was  particularly  oppressive  to  a  nation  tiiat 
y/ns  then  so  poor,  and  which  was  exposed  on  so  great  an  ex- 
tent of  coast. 

As  the  occupation  of  Now  York  and  Philadelphia  prevented 
S'^veral  of  the  new  frigates  from  getting  to  sea  at  all,  or  occa- 
sioned their  early  loss,  Congress  had  endeavoured  to  repair 
these  deficiencies  by  causing  other  vessels  to  be  built,  or  pur- 
chased, at  ]X)ints  where  they  would  be  out  of  danger  from  any 
similar  mislbrtuncs.  Among  thcso  ships  were  the  Alliance  32^ 
Confederacy  32,  Dcane  82,  (afterwards  called  tho  Hague,) 
and  Queen  of  Franco  28,  all  frigate-built,  and  the  Ranger, 
Gates,  and  Saratoga  sloops  of  war.  To  these  were  added  a 
few  other  vessels,  that  were  either  bought  or  borro^ved  in 
Europe.  The  Alliance,  which,  as  her  name  indicates,  was 
launched  about  the  time  the  treaty  was  made  with  France,  was 
the  favourite  ship  of  the  American  navy,  and  it  might  be  added, 
of  the  American  nation,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution ; 
fdling  some  such  space  in  the  public  mind,  as  has  since  been 
occupied  by  her  more  celebrated  successor,  the  Constitution. 


1778.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


73 


was 


hlhc  was  u  boautiful  unci  an  exceedingly  fast  ship,  but,  as  will 
bo  seen  in  the  ucquol,  was  rendered  less  eilicicnt  than  she 
might  otherwise  have  proved,  by  the  mistake  o(  placing  her 
under  the  command  of  a  French  officer,  with  a  view  to  pay  a 
compliment  to  the  new  allies  of  the  republic.  This  unfortunate 
.selection  produced  mutinies,  much  discontent  among  the  offi- 
cers, and,  in  the  end,  grave  irregularities.  The  Alliance  was 
built  at  Salisbury,  in  Mac^achusetts,  a  place  that  figured  as  a 
building  station,  even  in  the  seventeenth  century. 

The  naval  operations  of  the  year  open  with  a  gallant  little 
exploit,  achieved  by  the  United  States  sloop  Providence,  12, 
Captain  Kathburno.  This  vessel  carried  only  four-pounders, 
and,  at  the  time,  is  said  to  have  had  a  crew  of  but  fifty  men 
on  board.  Notwithstanding  this  trifling  force,  Captain  Rath- 
burne  made  a  descent  on  the  Island  of  New  Providence,  at  the 
head  of  twenty-five  men.  He  was  joined  by  a  few  American 
prisoners,  less  than  thirty,  it  is  said,  and,  while  a  privateer  of 
sixteen  guns,  with  a  crew  of  near  fifty  men,  lay  in  the  harbour, 
he  seized  the  forts,  got  possession  of  the  stores,  and  effectually 
obtained  command  of  the  place.  All  tho  vessels  in  port,  six  in 
number,  fell  into  his  hands,  and  an  attempt  of  the  armed  popu- 
lation to  overpower  him,  was  suppressed,  by  a  menace  to  burn 
the  town.  A  British  sloop  of  war  appeared  off  the  harbour, 
while  the  Americans  were  in  possession,  but,  ascertaining  that 
an  enemy  was  occupying  the  works,  she  retired,  after  having 
been  fired  on.  The  following  day,  the  people  assembled  in 
such  force,  as  seriously  to  threaten  the  safety  of  his  party  and 
vessel,  and  Captain  Rathburne  caused  the  guns  of  the  fort  to 
be  spiked,  removed  all  the  ammunition  and  small-arms,  burned 
two  of  his  prizes,  and  sailed  with  the  remainder,  without  leaving 
a  man  behind  him.  In  this  daring  little  enterprise,  the  Ame- 
ricans held  the  place  two  entire  days. 

Captain  John  Barry,  whose  spirited  action  off  the  capes  of 
Virginia,  in  the  Lexington  14,  has  been  mentioned,  and  whose 
capture  of  the  Edward,  on  that  occasion,  is  worthy  of  note,  as 
having  been  the  first  of  any  vessel  of  war,  that  was  ever  made 
by  a  regular  American  cruiser  in  battle,  was  placed  on  the 
regulated  list  of  October,  1776,  as  the  seventh  captain,  and 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Effingham  28,  then  building 
at  Philadelphia.  The  Effingham  was  one  of  the  vessels  that 
had  been  taken  up  the  Delaware,  to  escape  from  the  British 
army ;  and  this  gallant  officer,  wearied  with  a  life  of  inactivity,, 
planned  an  expedition  down  the  stream,  in  the  hope  of  striking: 
7 


1      s 


74 


NAVAL     HISTOllY. 


[1778. 


a  blow  at  some  of  the  enemy's  vessels  anchored  off,  or  below 
the  town.  Manning  four  boats,  ho  pulled  down  with  the  tide. 
Some  alarm  was  given  when  opposite  the  town,  but  dashing 
ahead,  the  barges  got  past  without  injury.  OtfPort  Penn  lay 
an  enemy's  schooner  of  ten  guns,  and  four  transports,  with 
freight  for  the  British  army.  The  schooner  was  boarded  and 
carried,  without  loss,  and  the  transports  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Americans  also.  Two  cruisers  appearing  soon  after  in  the 
river,  however.  Captain  Barry  destroyed  his  prizes,  and  es- 
caped by  land,  without  losing  a  man. 

Following  the  order  of  time,  we  now  return  to  the  movements 
of  the  two  ships  under  the  command  of  Captain  Thompson, 
the  Raleigh  and  the  Alfred.  After  taking  in  military  stores 
in  France,  these  vessels  sailed  for  America,  making  a  circuit 
to  the  southward,  in  order  tc  avt)id  the  enemy's  vessels  of 
force,  and  to  pick  up  a  few  prizes  by  the  way.  They  sailed 
from  rOrient  in  February,  1778,  and  on  the  9th  of  March, 
were  chased  by  the  British  ships  Ariadne  and  Ceres,  which 
succeeded  in  getting  alongside  of  the  Alfred,  and  engaging  her, 
while  the  Raleigh  was  at  a  distance.  Believing  a  contest 
fruitless,  after  exchanging  a  few  broadsides,  the  Alfred  struck  ; 
but  the  Raleigh,  though  hard  pressed,  in  the  chase  that  suc- 
ceeded, made  her  escape.  Captain  Thompson  was  blamed  in 
the  journals  of  the  day,  for  not  aiding  his  consort  on  this  occa- 
sion ;  and  he  appears  to  have  been  superseded  in  the  command 
of  his  ship,  to  await  the  result  of  a  trial. 

Among  the  frigates  ordered  by  the  act  of  1775,  was  one 
called  the  Virginia  28,  which  had  been  laid  duwn  in  Maryland. 
To  this  vessel  was  assigned  Captain  James  Nicholson,  the 
senior  captain  on  the  list,  an  officer  who  had  already  mani- 
fested conduct  and  spirit  in  an  affair  with  one  of  the  enemy's 
tenders  off  Annapolis,  while  serving  in  the  local  marine  of 
Maryland.  The  great  embarrassment  which  attended  most  of 
the  public  measures  of  the  day,  and  a  vigilant  blockade,  pre- 
vented the  Virginia  from  getting  to  sea,  until  the  spring  of  this 
year,  when  having  received  her  crew  and  equipments,  she 
made  the  attempt  on  the  30th  of  March. 

The  frigate  appears  to  have  followed  another  \essel  down 
the  Chesapeake,  under  the  impression  that  the  best  pilot  of  the 
bay  was  in  charge  of  her.  About  three  in  the  morning,  how- 
ever, she  struck  on  the  middle  ground,  over  which  she  beat 
with  the  loss  of  her  rudder.-  The  ship  was  immediately  an- 
chored.    Day  discovered  two  English  vessels  of  war  at  no 


1778.] 


NAVAL    HISTOIIY. 


75 


one 

and. 

the 


own 
the 
how- 
beat 
an- 
t  no 


f' 


great  distance,  when  Captain  Nicholson  got  ashore  with  his 
papers,  and  the  ship  was  taken  possession  of  by  the  enemy. 
An  inquiry,  instituted  by  Congress,  acquitted  Captain  NichoU 
son  of  blame. 

Leaving  the  ocean,  we  will  again  turn  our  attention  to  the 
procoudings  of  the  enemy  in  the  Delaware.  Early  in  May,  an 
expf.'dition  left  Philadelphia,  under  the  command  of  Major  Mail- 
land,  and  af.ceniled  that  river  with  a  view  to  destroy  the  Ame- 
rican shipping,  which  had  been  carried  up  it  to  escape  the  in- 
vading and  successful  army  of  the  enemy.  The  force  consisted 
of  the  schooners  Viper  and  Pembroke ;  the  Hussar,  Cornwallis, 
Ferret,  and  Philadelphia  galleys;  four  gun-boats,  and  eighteen 
flat-boats,  und'.r  the  orders  of  Captain  Henry  of  the  navy.  The 
2d  battalion  of  the  light-infantry,  and  two  field-pieces  composed 
the  troops.  Ascending  the  stream  to  a  point  above  Bristol,  the 
troops  landed,  without  opposition.  There  does  not  appear  to 
have  bojn  any  force  to  oppose  the  British  on  this  occasion,  or, 
if  an/,  one  of  so  little  moment,  as  to  put  a  serious  contest  out 
of  the  question.  The  Washington  32,  and  Effingham  28, 
Loth  of  which  had  been  built  at  Philadelphia,  but  had  never 
got  to  sea,  were  burned.  These  ships  had  not  yet  received 
their  armaments. 

About  this  time  the  celebrated  Paul  Jones,  whose  conduct 
as  a  lieutenant  in  the  Alfred,  and  in  command  of  that  ship,  as 
well  as  in  that  of  the  Providence  12,  had  attracted  much  atten- 
tion, appeared  in  the  European  seas  in  command  of  the  Ranger 
18.  So  cautious  had  the  American  government  become,  in 
consequence  of  the  British  remonstrances,  that  orders  were 
given  to  the  Ranger  to  conceal  her  armament  while  in  France. 

After  going  into  Brest  to  refit.  Captain  Jones  sailed  from 
port  on  the  lOth  of  April,  1778,  on  a  cruise  in  tV.e  Irish  Chan- 
nel. As  the  Ranger  passed  along  the  coast,  she  made  several 
prizes,  and  getting  as  high  as  Whitehaven,  Captain  Jones  de- 
termined, on  the  17th,  to  make  an  attempt  to  burn  the  colliers 
that  were  crowded  in  that  narrow  port.  The  weather,  how- 
ever, prevented  the  execution  of  this  project,  and  the  ship  pro- 
ceeded as  high  as  Glentine  bay,  on  the  coast  of  Scotland,  where 
she  chased  a  revenue  vessel  without  success. 

Quitting  the  Scottish  coast,  the  Ranger  next  crossed  to  Ire- 
land, and  arrived  off  Carrickfergus,  where  she  was  boarded  by 
some  fishermen.  From  these  men  Captain  Jones  ascertained 
that  the  Drake  sloop  of  war,  Captain  Burden,  a  vessel  of  a 
force  about  equal  to  that  of  the  Ranger,  lay  anchored  in  the 


76 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


(1778. 


roads,  and  ho  immodintoly  conceived  a  pinn  to  run  in  and  take 
her.  PreparatioHH  w<  ro  accordingly  made  to  attc^mpt  the  en- 
terpriiio  an  soon  as  it  wits  dark. 

it  blew  fresh  in  the  night,  but  when  the  proper  hour  hud 
arrived,  th(3  Ranger  (stoo<l  for  the  roads,  having  ac<;urately  ob- 
tained the  bearings  of  lior  enemy.  The  orders  of  Captain 
Jones  were  lo  overlay  the  rnble  of  the  Drake,  and  to  bring  up 
on  her  bows,  v/hen)  ho  intended  to  secure  his  own  ship,  and 
abide  the  result.  By  sorno  mistake,  the  anchor  was  not  let  go 
in  season,  and  instead  of  (etching  up  in  the  desmjd  jjosition, 
the  Ranger  could  not  bo  checked  until  she  had  dridetl  on  tho 
quarter  of  the  Drake,  ut  the  distunco  of  half  a  cable's  length. 
Perceiving  that  his  object  was  defeated,  Captain  Jones  ordered 
tho  cable  to  Ixj  cut,  when  the  ship  drifted  astern,  and,  making 
sail,  she  hauled  by  tho  wind  as  soon  as  possible.  The  galo 
increasing,  it  'vtus  with  great  difficulty  tJmt  the  Ranger  wea- 
thered tho  land,  and  regained  tho  channel. 

Captain  Jones  now  stood  over  to  the  English  coast,  and  lic- 
Jiovir^  the  tinx)  more  favourable,  ho  attempted  to  execute  hia 
former  design  on  the  shipping  of  VVhitohaven.  Two  parties 
landeil  in  the  night ;  the  iorts  wei"«  seized  and  the  guns  were 
spiked  ;  the  few  look-outs  that  were  in  the  works  being  con* 
fined.  In  rsflecting  this  duty,  Captain  Jones  was  foremost  in 
person,  for,  having  once  sailed  out  of  the  port,  he  was  familiar 
with  the  place.  An  accident  common  to  both  the  parties  into 
which  tho  expedition  had  been  divided,  came  near  defeating 
the  enterprise  in  the  outset.  They  had  brought  candles  in 
lanterns,  as  lights  and  torches,  and,  now  that  they  were  wanted 
for  the  latter  purpose,  it  was  found  that  they  were  all  con- 
sumed. As  the  day  was  appearing,  the  party  under  Mr.  Wal- 
lingford,  one  of  the  lieutenants,  took  to  its  boat  without  effect- 
ing any  thing,  while  Captain  Jones  sent  to  a  detached  building 
and  obtained  a  candle.  Ho  boarded  a  large  ship,  kindled  a 
fire  in  her  steerage,  and  by  placing  a  barrel  of  tar  over  the 
spot,  soon  had  the  vessel  in  flames.  The  tide  being  out,  this 
ship  lay  in  the  midst  of  more  th;m  a  hondred  others,  high  and 
dry,  and  Captain  Jones  flattered  himself  with  the  hope  of  sig- 
nally revenging  the  depredations  that  the  enemy  had  so  freely 
committed  on  the  American  coast.  But,  by  this  time,  the  alarm 
was  effectually  given,  and  the  entire  population  appeared  on 
the  adjacent  high  ground,  or  were  sccm  rushing  in  numl)ers  to- 
wards the  shipping.  The  latter  were  easily  driven  back  by  a 
show  of  force ;  and  remaining  a  sufliicient  timo,  as  ho  thought, 


1778.J 


NAVAi.     HISTORY 


77 


to  mukn  sure  of  an  pxtonsivc  conflagration,  Cnptain  Jones  took 
to  Win  boats  and  pulled  towards  hiu  Hhip.  Some  guns  were  fired 
on  the  retiring  boats  without  ctFect ;  but  the  people  of  the  place 
succfH^ded  in  extinguishing  the  ilamea  before  the  mischief  be- 
came very  extensive. 

The  hardihood,  as  well  au  the  nature  of  this  attempt,  pro- 
duced a  great  alarm  along  the  whole  English  coast ;  and  from 
that  hour,  even  to  this,  the  name  of  Jones,  in  the  midst  of  the 
people  of  Whitehaven,  is  associated  with  audacity,  destruction, 
and  danger. 

While  cruising,  with  the  utmost  boldness,  as  it  r'ght  be  in 
the  very  heart  of  the  British  waters,  \  ith  the  coasts  of  the 
three  kingdoms  frequently  in  view  at  the  same  moment.  Cap- 
tain Jones,  who  was  a  native  of  the  country,  decided  to  make 
an  attempt  to  seize  the  Earl  of  Selkirk,  who  had  a  seat  on  St. 
Mary's  Isle,  near  the  point  where  the  Dec  flows  into  the  chan- 
nel. A  party  landed,  and  got  possession  of  the  house,  but  its 
master  was  absent.  The  olFiccr  in  command  of  the  boats  so 
fur  ftjrgot  himself  as  to  bring  away  a  quantity  of  the  family 
plate,  although  no  other  injury  was  done,  or  any  insult  oflered. 
This  plute,  the  value  of  which  did  not  exceed  a  hundred  pounds, 
was  subsequently  purchased  of  the  crew  by  Captain  Jones,  and 
returned  to  Lady  Selkirk,  with  a  letter  expressive  of  his  regrets 
at  the  occurrence. 

Afler  the  landing  mentioned,  the  Ranger  once  more  steered 
towards  Ireland,  Captain  Junes  still  keeping  in  view  his  design 
on  the  Drake,  and  arrived  otrCarrickfergus  again,  on  the  24th. 
The  commander  of  the  latter  ship  sent  out  an  officer,  in  one 
of  his  I)oats,  to  ascertain  the  character  of  the  stranger.  By 
means  of  skilful  handling,  the  Ranger  was  kept  end-on  to  the 
boat,  and  as  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  latter  could  merely  see 
the  ship's  stern,  although  provided  with  a  glass,  he  sufTered 
himself  to  be  decoyed  alongside,  and  was  taken.  From  the 
prisoners,  Captain  Jones  learned  that  intelligence  of  his  de- 
scents on  Whitehaven  and  St.  Mary's  Isle  had  reached  Bel fijst, 
and  that  the  people  of  the  Drake  had  weighed  the  anciix-  he 
had  lost  in  his  attempt  on  that  ship. 

Under  these  circumstances.  Captain  Jones  believed  that  the 
commander  of  the  Drake  would  not  long  defer  coming  out  in 
search  of  his  boat ;  an  expectation  that  was  shortly  realised, 
by  the  appearance  of  the  English  ship  under  way.  The 
Ranger  now  filled  and  stood  off  the  land,  with  a  view  to  draw 

her  enemy  more  into  the  channel,  where  she  lay  to,  in  waiting 

7  # 


mmmm 


i! 


78 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1778. 


for  the  lattor  to  come  on.  Several  small  vessels  accompanied 
the  Drake,  to  witness  the  combat,  and  many  volunteers  had 
gone  on  board  her,  to  nssist  in  capturint^  the  American  pri- 
vateer, ns  it  was  the  fashion  of  the  day  to  term  the  vessels  of 
the  young  republic.  The  tide  being  unfavourable,  the  Drake 
worked  out  of  the  roi  ds  slowly,  and  night  was  approaching 
before  she  drew  near  the  Ranger. 

The  Drake,  when  she  got  sufficiently  nigh,  hailed,  and  re- 
ceive the  name  of  her  antagonist,  by  way  of  challenge,  with 
a  request  to  come  on.  As  the  two  ships  were  standing  on,  the 
Drake  a  little  to  leeward  and  astern,  the  Ranger  put  her  helnt 
up,  a  manoeuvre  that  the  enemy  imitated,  and  the  former  gave 
the  first  broadside,  firing  as  her  gims  bore.  The  wind  ad- 
mitted of  but  few  changes,  but  the  battle  was  fought  running 
free,  under  easy  canvass.  It  lasted  an  hour  and  four  minutes, 
when  the  Drake  called  for  quarter,  her  ensign  being  already 
down. 

The  English  ship  was  much  cut  up,  both  in  her  hull  and 
aloft,  and  Captain  Jones  computed  her  loss  at  about  forty  men. 
Her  captain  and  lieutenant  were  both  desperately  wounded, 
and  died  shortly  after  the  engagement.  The  Ranger  suiFcred 
much  less,  having  Lieutenant  Wallingford  and  one  man  killed, 
and  six  wounded.  The  Drake  was  not  only  a  heavier  ship, 
but  she  had  a  much  stronger  crew  than  her  antagonist.  She 
had  also  two  guns  the  most. 

After  securing  her  prize  and  repairing  damages,  the  Ranger 
went  round  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  shaped  her  course  foi; 
Brest.  She  was  chased  repeatedly,  but  arrived  safely  at  her 
port  with  the  Drake,  on  the  8th  of  May. 

Mr.  Silas  Talbot,  of  Rhode  Island,  who  had  been  a  seaman 
in  his  youth,  had  taken  service  in  the  army,  and,  October  10th, 
1777,  he  had  been  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  Major,  to  reward 
him  for  a  spirited  attempt  to  set  fire  to  one  of  the  enemy's 
cruisers  in  the  Hudson.  In  the  autumn  of  the  present  year 
(1778),  Major  Talbot  headed  another  expedition  against  the  Brit- 
ish schooner  Pigot  8,  then  lying  in  the  eastern  passage  between 
Rhode  Island  and  the  main  land,  in  a  small  sloop  that  had  two 
light  guns,  and  which  was  manned  by  60  volunteers.  The 
Pigot  had  45  men,  and  one  heavy  gun  in  her  bows,  besides 
the  rest  of  her  armament.  Her  commander  showed  great 
bravery,  actually  fighting  alone  on  deck,  in  his  shirt,  when 
every  man  of  his  crew  had  run  below.  Major  Talbot  carried 
the  schooner  without  loss,  and  for  his  conduct  and  gallantry 


1778.] 


NAVAL     HI8T0R  Y. 


79 


was  promoted  to  be  a  Lieutenant-Colonel.  The  following  year 
this  otiicor  was  trunsfcrrcd  tu  the  navy,  Congress  passing  an 
especial  resolution  to  that  elluct,  with  directions  to  the  Murine 
Committee  to  give  him  a  ship  on  the  first  occasion.  It  docs 
not  appear,  however,  that  it  was  in  the  power  of  the  commit- 
tee, at  that  period  of  the  war,  to  appoint  Captain  Tulbot  to  a 
government  vessel,  and  ho  is  believed  to  have  served,  subse- 
quently, in  a  private  armed  ship. 

In  consequence  of  the  investigation  connected  with  the  loss 
of  the  Alfred,  Ca|)tain  Thompson  was  relieved  from  the  com- 
mand of  the  Raleigh  32,  as  has  been  said  already,  and  that 
ship  wos  given  to  Captain  Barry.  Under  the  orders  of  her 
new  commander,  the  Raleigh  sailed  from  Boston  on  the  26th 
of  September,  at  six  in  the  morning,  having  a  brig  and  a  sloop 
under  convoy.  The  wind  was  fresh  at  N.  W.,  and  the  frigate 
ran  oflf  N .  E.  At  twelve,  two  strange  sail  were  seen  to  lee- 
ward, distant  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles.  Orders  were  given  to 
the  convoy  to  haul  nearer  to  the  wind,  and  to  crowd  all  the 
sail  it  could  carry,  the  strangers  in  chase.  After  dark  the 
Raleigh  lost  sight  of  the  enemy,  and  the  wind  became  light 
and  variable.  The  Raleigh  now  cleared  for  action,  and  kept 
her  people  at  quarters  all  night,  having  tacked  towards  the 
land.  In  the  morning  it  proved  to  be  hazy,  and  the  strangers 
were  not  to  be  seen.  The  Raleigh  was  still  standing  towards 
the  land,  which  she  shortly  after  made  ahead,  quite  near. 
About  noon,  the  haze  clearing  away,  the  enemy  were  seen  in 
the  southern  board,  and  to  windward,  crowding  sail  in  chase. 
The  weather  became  thick  again,  and  the  Raleigh  lost  sight 
of  her  two  pursuers,  when  she  hauled  off  to  the  eastward. 
That  night  no  more  was  seen  of  the  enemy,  and  at  daylight 
Captain  Barry  took  in  every  thing,  with  a  view  to  conceal  the 
position  of  the  ship,  which  was  permitted  to  drift  under  bare 
poles.  Finding  nothing  visible  at  6,  A.  M,,  the  Raleigh 
crowded  sail  once  more,  and  stood  S.  E.  by  S.  But  at  half 
past  9,  the  two  ships  were  again  discovered  astern,  and  in 
chase.  The  Raleigh  now  hauled  close  upon  a  wind,  heading 
N.  W.,  with  her  larboard  tacks  aboard.  The  enemy  also 
came  to  the  wind,  all  three  vessels  carrying  hard  with  a 
staggering  breeze.  The  Raleigh  now  fairly  outsailed  the 
strangers,  running  11  knots  2  fathoms,  on  a  dragged  bowline. 

Unfortunately,  at  noon  the  wind  moderated,  when  the  lead- 
ing vessel  of  the  enemy  overhauled  the  Raleigh  quite  fast,  and 
even  the  ship  astern  held  way  with  her.    At  4,  P.  M.,  the 


80 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


1778. 


Raleigh  tacked  to  the  westward,  with  a  view  to  discover  the 
force  of  the  leading  vessel  of  the  enemy ;  and  about  the  same 
time  she  made  several  low  islands,  the  names  of  which  were 
not  known.  At  5,  P.  M.,  the  leading  vessel  of  the  enemy 
having  nearly  closed,  the  Raleigh  edged  away  and  crossed  her 
fore  foot,  brailing  her  mizzen,  and  taking  in  her  staysails. 
The  enemy  showed  a  battery  of  14  guns  of  a  side,  including 
both  decks,  and  set  St.  George's  ensign.  In  passing,  the 
Raleigh  delivered  her  broadside,  which  was  returned,  when 
the  stranger  came  up  under  the  lee  quarter  of  the  American 
ship,  and  the  action  became  steady  and  general.  At  the 
second  fire,  the  Raleigh  unfortunately  lost  her  fore-topmast 
and  mizzen  top-gal  lant-mast,  which  gave  the  enemy  a  vast 
advantage  in  manoeuvring  throughout  the  remainder  of  the 
affair.  Finding  the  broadside  of  the  Raleigh  getting  to  be  too 
hot  for  him,  the  enemy  soon  shot  ahead,  and,  for  a  short  time, 
while  the  people  of  the  former  ship  were  clearing  the  wreck, 
he  engaged  to  windward,  and  at  a  distance.  Ere  long,  how- 
ever, the  English  vessel  edged  away  and  attempted  to  rake  the 
Raleigh,  v/hen  Captain  Barry  bore  up,  and  bringing  the  ships 
alongside  each  other,  he  endeavoured  to  board,  a  step  that  the 
other,  favoured  by  all  his  canvass,  and  his  superiority  of  sail- 
ing in  a  light  breeze,  easily  avoided.  By  this  time,  the  second 
ship  had  go*  so  near  as  to  render  it  certain  she  would  very 
soon  close,  and,  escape  by  flight  being  out  of  the  question  in 
the  crippled  condition  of  his  ship.  Captain  Barry  called  a  coun- 
cil of  his  officers.  It  was  determined  to  make  an  attempt  to 
run  the  frigate  ashore,  the  la.iid  being  then  within  a  few  miles. 
The  Raleigh  accordingly  wore  round,  and  stood  for  the  islands 
already  mentioned,  her  antagonist  following  her  in  the  most 
gallant  manner,  both  ships  maintaining  the  action  with  spirit. 
About  midnight,  however,  the  enemy  hauled  off,  and  left  the 
Raleigh  to  pursue  her  course  towards  the  land.  The  engage- 
ment had  lasted  seven  hours,  much  of  the  time  in  close  action, 
and  both  vessels  had  suffered  materially,  the  Raleigh  in  parti- 
cular, in  her  spars,  rigging,  and  sails.  The  darkness,  soon 
after,  concealing  his  ship,  Captain  Barry  had  some  hopes  of 
getting  off  among  the  islands,  and  was  in  the  act  of  bending 
new  sails  for  that  purpose,  when  the  enemy's  vessels  again 
came  in  sight,  closing  fast.  The  Rtleigh  immediately  opened 
a  brisk  fire  from  her  stern  guns,  and  every  human  effort  was 
maJe  to  force  the  ship  towards  the  land.  The  enemy,  how- 
ever, easily  closed  again,  and  opened  a  heavy  fire,  which  was 


1778.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


81 


returned  by  the  Raleigh  until  she  grounded,  when  the  largest 
of  the  enemy's  ships  immediately  hauled  off,  to  avoid  a 
similar  calamity,  and,  gaining  a  safe  distance,  both  vessels 
continued  their  fire,  from  positions  they  had  taken  on  the 
Raleigh's  quarter.  Captain  Barry,  finding  that  the  island 
was  rocky,  and  that  it  might  be  defended,  determined  to  land, 
and  to  burn  his  ship ;  a  project  that  was  rendered  practicable 
by  the  fact  that  the  enemy  had  ceased  firing,  and  anchored  at 
the  distance  of  about  a  mile.  A  large  party  of  men  got  on 
shore,  and  the  boats  were  about  to  return  for  the  remainder, 
when  it  was  discovered  that,  by  the  treachery  of  a  petty  officer, 
the  ship  had  surrendered. 

The  officers  and  men  on  the  island  escaped,  but  the  vessel 
was  got  off  and  placed  in  the  British  navy.  The  two  ships 
that  took  the  Raleigh  were  the  Experiment  50,  Captain  Wal- 
lace, and  the  Unicorn  22.  The  latter  mounted  28  guns,  and 
was  the  ship  that  engaged  the  Raleigh  so  closely,  so  long,  and 
so  obstinately.  She  was  much  cut  up,  losing  her  masts  after 
the  action,  and  had  10  men  killed,  besides  many  wounded. 
The  Americans  had  25  men  killed  and  wounded  in  the  course 
of  the  whole  afiair. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Thk  year  1779  opens  with  the  departure  of  the  Alliance, 
32,  for  France.  It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  command 
of  this  ship  had  been  given  to  a  Captair.  Landais,  who  was 
said  to  be  a  French  officer  of  gallantry  and  merit.  Unfortu- 
nately the  prejudices  of  the  seamen  did  not  answer  to  the  com- 
plaisance of  the  Marine  Committee  in  this  respect,  and  it  was 
found  difficult  to  obtain  a  crew  willing  to  enlist  under  a  French 
captain.  When  General  Lafayette  reached  Boston  near  the 
close  of  1778,  in  order  to  embark  in  the  Alliance,  it  was  found 
that  the  frigate  was  not  yet  manned.  Desirous  of  rendering 
themselves  useful  to  their  illustrious  guest,  the  government  of 
Massachusetts  offered  to  complete  the  ship's  complement  by 
impressment,  an  expedient  that  had  been  adopted  on  more  than 
one  occasion  during  the  war ;  but  the  just-minded  and  benevo- 


82 


NAVAL     Hi  STORY. 


[1779. 


i       I 


lent  Lafayette  would  not  consent  to  the  measure.  Anxious  to 
sail,  however,  for  he  was  entrusted  with  important  interests, 
rccourse  was  had  to  a  plan  to  man  the  ship,  which,  if  less  ob- 
jectionable on  the  score  of  principle,  was  scarcely  less  so  in 
every  other  point  of  view. 

The  Somerset  64,  had  been  wrecked  on  the  coast  of  New 
England,  and  part  of  her  crew  had  found  their  way  to  Boston. 
By  accepting  the  proffered  services  of  these  men,  those  of  some 
volunteers  from  among  the  pi'isoncrs,  and  those  of  a  few 
French  seamen  that  were  also  found  ir  Boston  afler  the  de- 
parture of  their  fleet,  a  motley  number  was  raised  in  sufficient 
time  to  enable  the  ship  to  sail  on  the  11th  of  January.  With 
this  incomplete  and  mixed  crew,  Lafayette  trusted  himself  on 
the  ocean,  and  the  result  was  near  justifying  the  worst  fore- 
bodings that  so  ill-advised  a  measure  could  have  suggested. 

After  a  tempestuous  passage,  the  Alliance  got  within  two 
days'  run  of  the  English  coast,  when  her  officers  and  passen- 
gers, of  the  latter  of  whom  there  were  many  besides  General 
Lafayette  and  his  suite,  received  the  startling  information  that 
a  conspiracy  existed  among  the  English  portion  of  the  crew, 
some  seventy  or  eighty  men  in  all,  to  iiill  the  officers,  seize  the 
vessel,  and  carry  the  frigate  into  England.  With  a  view  to 
encourage  such  acts  of  mutiny,  the  British  Parliament  had 
passed  a  law  to  reward  all  those  crew;^  that  should  run  away 
with  American  ships ;  and  this  temptation  was  too  strong  for 
men  whose  service,  however  voluntary  it  might  be  in  appear- 
ances, was  probably  reluctant,  and  which  had  been  compelled 
by  circumstances,  if  not  by  dinict  coercion. 

The  plot,  however,  was  betrayed,  and  by  the  sju^'ited  con- 
duct of  the  officers  and  passengers,  the  ringleaders  were  ar- 
rested. 

On  reaching  Brest,  the  mutineers  were  placed  in  a  French 
gaol,  and  after  some  delay,  were  exchanged  as  prisoners  of 
war,  without  any  other  punishment ;  the  noble-minded  Lafa- 
yette, in  particular,  feeling  averse  to  treating  foreigners  as  it 
would  have  been  a  duty  to  treat  natives  under  similar  circum- 
stahces. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  the  U.  S.  ships  Warren  32,  Captain 
J.  B.  Hopkiii«,  Queen  of  France  28,  Captain  Olney,  and  Ran- 
ger 18,  Captain  Simps<^)«i,  sailed  from  Boston,  in  company,  on 
a  cruise  ;  Captain  Hoj»kins  being  the  senior  officer.  When  a 
few  days  from  port,  these  vessels  captured  a  British  privateer 
of  14  guns,  fir''>m  the  people  of  which  they  ascertained  that  a 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


83 


rench 

rs  of 

jafa- 

as  it 

;um- 

■)tain 
l^an- 
i,  on 
3n  a 
Iteer 
lat  a 


small  fleet  of  armeu  transports  and  store-ships  had  just  sailed 
from  New  York,  bound  to  Georgia,  with  supplies  for  the  ene- 
my's Ibrces  in  that  quarter.  The  three  cruisers  crowded  sail 
in  chase,  and'  otf  Cape  Henry,  late  in  the  day,  they  had  the 
good  fortune  to  come  up  with  nine  sail,  seven  of  which  they 
captured,  with  a  trifling  resistance.  Favoured  by  the  dark- 
ness, the  two  others  escaped.  The  vessels  taken  proved  to  be 
his  Britannic  Majesty's  ship  Jason,  20,  with  a  crew  of  150 
men  ;  the  Maria  armed  ship,  of  16  guns,  and  84  men ;  and  the 
privateer  schooner  Hibernia,  8,  with  a  crew  of  45  men.  The 
Maria  had  a  full  cargo  of  flour.  In  addition  to  these  vessels, 
the  brigs  Patriot,  Prince  Frederick,  Bachelor  John,  and  the 
schooner  Chance,  all  laden  with  stores,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  Americans.  Among  the  prisoners  were  twenty-four  Brit- 
ish officers,  who  were  on  their  way  to  join  their  regiments  at 
the  south. 

The  command  of  the  Queen  of  France  was  now  given  to 
Captain  Rathburne,  when  that  ship  sailed  on  another  cruise,  in 
company  with  the  Ranger,  and  the  Providence  28,  Captain 
Whipple;  the  latter  being  the  senior  officer.  In  July,  this 
squadron  fell  in  with  a  large  fleet  of  English  merchantmen, 
that  was  convoyed  by  a  ship  of  the  line,  and  some  smaller 
cruisers,  and  succeeded  in  cutting  out  several  valuable  prizes, 
of  which  eight  arrived  at  Boston,  their  estimated  value  exceed- 
ing a  million  of  dollars.  In  the  way  of  pecuniary  benefits, 
this  was  the  most  successful  cruise  made  in  tho  war. 

Paul  Jones  had  obtained  so  much  celebrity  for  hb  .services  in 
the  Ranger,  that  he  remained  in  France,  after  the  i  parture  of 
his  ship  for  America,  in  the  hope  of  receiving  a  more  import- 
ant command,  the  'nducenient,  indeed,  which  bad  originally 
brought  him  to  Europe.  Many  different  projects  to  this  effect 
had  been  entertained  and  abandoned,  durir  ■:  the  years  1778 
and  1779,  by  one  of  which  a  descent  was  to  have  Ijcen  made 
on  Liverpool,  vvith  a  body  of  troops  commanded  by  Lafayette. 
All  of  these  plans,  however,  produced  no  results  ;  and  after 
many  vexatious  repulses  in  his  applications  {(jr  service,  an  ar- 
rangement was  finally  made  to  give  this  celebrated  officer  em- 
ployment that  was  as  singular  in  its  outlines,  as  it  proved  to 
be  inconvenient,  not  to  say  impracticable,  in  execution. 

By  a  letter  from  M.  de  Sartine,  the  minister  of  the  marine, 
dated  February  4th,  1779,  it  appears  that  the  King  of  France 
had  consented  to  pui'chase  and  put  at  the  disposition  of  Captain 
Jones,  the  Duras,  an  old  Indiaman  of  some  size,  then  lying  at 


Tl 


■-.filfim^nliii' 


84 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1779. 


I'Orient.  To  this  vessel  were  added  three  more  that  were  pro- 
cured by  means  of  M.  le  Ray  de  Chaumont,  a  banker  of  emi- 
nence connected  with  the  court,  and  who  acted  on  the  occasion, 
under  the  orders  of  the  French  ministry.  Dr.  Franklin,  who, 
as  minister  of  the  United  States,  was  supposed,  in  a  legal  sense, 
to  direct  the  whole  affair,  added  the  Alliance  32,  in  virtue  of 
the  authority  that  he  held  from  Congress.  The  vessels  that 
were  thus  chosen,  formed  a  little  squadron,  composed  of  the 
Duras,  Alliance,  Pallas,  Cerf,  and  Vengeance.  The  Pallas 
was  a  merchantman  bought  for  the  occasion  ;  the  Vengeance 
a  small  brig  that  had  also  been  purchased  expressly  for  the 
expedition ;  the  Cerf  was  a  fine  large  cutter,  and,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Alliance,  the  only  vessel  of  the  squadron  fitted 
for  war.  All  the  ships  but  the  Alliance  were  French-built, 
and  they  were  placed  under  the  American  flag,  by  the  follow- 
ing  arrangement. 

The  officers  received  appointments,  which  were  to  remain 
valid  for  a  limited  period  only,  from  Dr.  Franklin,  who  had 
held  blank  commissions  to  be  filled  up  at  his  own  discretion, 
ever  since  his  arrival  in  Europe,  while  the  vessels  were  to 
show  the  American  ensign,  and  no  other.  In  short,  the  French 
ships  werci  to  be  considered  as  American  ships,  during  this 
particular  onrvlce,  and  when  it  was  terminated,  they  were  to 
revert  to  their  former  owners.  The  laws  and  provisions  of  the 
American  navy  were  to  govern,  and  command  was  to  be  exer- 
cised, and  to  descend,  agreeably  to  its  usages.  Such  officers 
as  already  had  rank  in  the  American  service,  were  to  take 
precedence  of  course,  agreeably  to  the  dates  of  their  respective 
commissions,  while  the  new  appointments  were  to  be  regulated 
by  the  new  dates.  By  an  especial  provision,  Captain  Jones 
was  to  be  commander-in-chief,  a  post  he  would  have  been 
entitled  to  fill  by  his  original  commission ;  Captain  Landais 
of  the  Alliance,  the  only  other  regular  captain  in  the  squad- 
ron, being  his  junior.  The  joint  right  of  the  American 
minister  and  of  the  French  government,  to  instruct  the  com- 
modore, and  to  direct  the  movements  of  the  squadron,  was  also 
recognised. 

From  what  source  the  money  was  actually  obtained  by 
which  this  squadron  was  fitted  out,  is  not  actually  known,  nor 
is  it  now  probable  that  it  will  ever  be  accurately  ascertained. 
Although  the  name  of  the  kmg  was  used,  it  is  not  impossible 
that  private  adventure  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  enterprise, 
though  it  seems  certain  that  the  government  was  so  far  con- 


177!).] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


85 


com- 
|is  also 

(ed  by 
J,  nor 

lained. 

Itssible 
rprise, 
con- 


cerned  as  to  procure  the  vessels,  at?d  to  a  certain  extent  to  }end 
the  use  of  its  stores.  Dr.  Franklin  expressly  states ,  that  he 
made  no  advances  for  any  of  the  ships  employed. 

As  every  thing  connected  with  this  remarkable  cnf  jrprise 
has  interest,  we  shall  endeavour  to  give  the  reader  r.  better 
idea  of  the  materials,  physical  and  moral,  that  ccinpcjed  the 
force  of  Commodore  Jones,  in  this  memorable  cruise. 

After  many  vexatious  delays,  the  Duras,  her  name  having 
been  changed  to  that  of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard,  in  compli- 
ment  to  Dr.  Franklin,  was  eventually  equipped  and  manned. 
Directions  had  been  given  to  cast  the  proper  number  of  eighteen- 
pounders  for  her ;  but,  it  being  ascertained  that  there  would  not 
be  time  to  complete  this  order,  some  old  twelves  were  procured 
in  their  places.  With  this  material  change  in  the  armament, 
the  Richard,  as  she  was  familiarly  called  by  the  seamen,  got 
ready  for  sea.  She  was,  properly,  a  single-decked  ship;  or 
carried  her  armament  on  one  gun-deck,  with  the  usual  addi- 
tions on  the  quarter-deck  and  forecastle ;  but  Commodore 
Jones,  with  a  view  to  attacking  some  of  the  larger  convoys  of 
the  enemy,  caused  twelve  ports  to  be  cut  in  the  gun-room  be- 
low,  where  six  old  eighteen-pounders  were  mounted,  it  being 
his  intention  to  fight  all  the  guns  oii  one  side,  in  smooth  water. 
The  height  of  the  ship  admitted  of  this  arrangement,  though  it 
was  foreseen  that  these  guns  could  not  be  of  much  use,  except 
in  very  moderate  weather,  or  when  engaging  to  leeward.  On 
her  main,  or  proper  guu-deck,  the  ship  had  twentv-eight  ports, 
the  regular  construction  of  an  English  38,  agreeably  to  the  old 
mode  of  rating.  Here  the  twelve-pounders  were  placed.  On 
the  quarter-deck  and  forecastle,  were  mounted  eight  nines, 
making  in  all  a  mixed  and  rather  light  armament  of  42  guns. 
If  the  six  eighteens  were  taken  away,  the  force  of  the  Bon 
Homme  Richard,  so  far  as  her  guns  were  concerned,  would 
have  been  about  equal  to  that  of  a  32  gun  frigate.  The  vessel 
was  clumsily  constructed,  having  been  built  many  years  be- 
fore, and  had  one  of  those  high  old-fashioned  poops,  that  caused 
the  sterns  of  the  ships  launched  in  the  early  part  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century  to  resemble  towers. 

To  manage  a  vessel  of  this  singular  armament  and  doubtful 
construction.  Commodore  Jones  was  compelled  to  receive  on 
board  a  crew  of  a  still  more  equivocal  composition.  A  few 
Americans  were  found  to  fill  the  stations  of  sea-officers,  on  the 
quarter-deck  and  forward  ;  but  the  remainder  of  the  people  were 
a  mixture  of  English,  Irish,  Scotch,  Portuguese,  Norwegians, 
8 


86 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


[1779. 


Germans,  Spaniards,  Swedes,  Italians  and  Malays,  with  occa* 
sionaily  a  man  from  one  of  the  islands.  To  keep  this  motley 
crew  in  order,  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  soldiers  were  put  on 
board,  under  the  command  of  some  officers  of  inferior  rank. 
These  soldiers,  or  marines,  were  recruited  at  random,  and 
were  not  much  less  singularly  mixed,  as  to  countries,  than  the 
regular  crew. 

As  the  squadron  was  about  to  sail,  M.  Le  Ray  appeared  at 
I'Orient,  and  presented  an  agreement,  or  concordat  as  it  was 
termed,  for  the  signature  of  all  the  commanders.  To  this  sin- 
gular compact,  which  in  some  respects,  reduced  a  naval  expedi- 
tion to  the  level  of  a  partnership,  Commodore  Jones  ascribed 
much  of  the  disobedience  among  his  captains,  of  whicli  he  sub- 
sequently complained. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  1779,  the  ships  sailed  from  the  anchor- 
age under  the  Isle  of  Groix,  off  TOricnt,  bound  to  the  south' 
ward,  with  a  few  ti'ansports  and  coasters  under  their  convoy. 
These  vessels  were  seen  into  their  several  places  of  d(5stiaa- 
♦ion,  in  the  Garonne,  Loire,  and  other  ports,  but  not  without 
the  commencement  of  that  course  of  disobedience  of  orders, 
unseamanlike  conduct,  and  neglect,  which  so  signally  marked 
the  whole  career  of  this  ill-assorted  ibrcc.  While  lying 
to,  off  the  coast,  the  Alliance,  by  palpable  mismanagement, 
got  foul  of  the  Richard,  and  lost  her  mizzcn-mast ;  carrying 
away,  at  the  same  time,  the  head,  cui-water,  and  jib-boom  of 
the  latter.  It  now  became  necessary  to  return  to  port  to 
refit. 

While  steering  northerly  again,  the  Cerf  cutter  was  sent  in 
chase  of  a  strange  sail,  and  parted  company.  The  next  morn- 
ing she  engaged  a  small  English  cruiser  of  14  guns,  and  after  a 
sharp  conflict  of  more  than  an  hour,  obliged  her  to  strike,  but 
was  compelled  to  abandon  her  prize  in  consequence  of  the  ap- 
pearanv:e  of  a  vessel  of  superior  force.  The  Cerf,  with  a  loss 
of  several  men  killed  and  wounded,  made  the  best  of  her  way 
to  I'Orient. 

On  the  22d,  three  ene  ty's  v  ■  sels  of  war  came  in  sight  of 
the  squadron,  and  liaving  the  wind,  they  rf'i  down  in  a  line 
abreast ;  when,  most  probably  deceived  b)  the  height  and  ge- 
neral appearance  of  the  Richard,  they  hauled  up,  and  by  car- 
rying a  press  of  sail,  escaped. 

On  the  26th,  the  Alliance  and  Pallas  parted  company  with 
the  Richard,  leaving  that  ship  with  no  other  consort  than  the 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


Bt 


jut 
ap- 


of 
line 

;ar- 

ith 
the 


\ 


i 


Vengeance  brig.  On  reaching  the  Penmarks,  the  designated 
rendezvous,  the  missing  vessels  did  not  appear.  On  the  29th, 
the  Vengeance  having  made  the  best  of  her  way  for  the  roads 
of  Groix  by  permission,  the  Richard  fell  in  with  two  more  of 
the  enemy's  cruisers,  which,  after  some  indications  of  an  inten- 
tion to  come  down,  also  ran,  no  doubt  under  the  impression 
that  the  American  frigate  was  a  ship  of  two  decks.  On  this 
occasion  Commodore  Jones  expressed  himself  satisfied  with  tho 
spirit  of  his  crew,  tho  people  manifesting  a  strong  wish  to  en- 
gage. On  the  last  of  the  month,  the  Richard  returned  to  tho 
roads  from  which  she  had  sailed,  and  anchored.  The  Alliance 
and  Pallas  came  in  also. 

Another  delay  occurred.  A  court  was  convened  to  inquire 
into  the  conduct  of  Captain  Landais  of  the  Alliance,  and  of 
other  officers,  in  running  foul  of  the  Richard,  and  both  ships 
underwent  repairs.  Luckily  a  cartel  arrived  from  England, 
at  this  moment,  bringing  with  her  m.ore  than  a  hundred  ex- 
changed American  seamen,  most  of  v/hom  joined  the  squadron. 
This  proved  to  be  a  great  and  important  accession  to  the  com- 
position of  the  crew  of  not  only  the  Richard,  but  to  that  of  the 
Alliance,  the  latter  ship  having  been  but  little  better  off  than 
the  former  in  this  particular.  Among  those  who  came  from 
the  English  prisons,  was  Mr.  Richard  Dale,  who  had  been 
taken  as  a  master's  mate  in  the  Lexington  14.  This  young 
officer  did  not  reach  France  in  the  cartel,  however,  but  had 
previously  escaped  from  Mill  prison  and  joined  the  Richard. 
Commodore  Jones  had  now  become  sensible  of  his  merit,  and 
in  reorganizing  h\^  i-ew,  he  had  ban  promoted,  and  rated 
him  ns  his  first  lieutenant.  The  ilit'/Td  had  now  nearly  a 
hundred  Americans  in  her,  and,  with  the  exception  of  tho  com- 
modore himself  and  one  midshipman,  all  her  quarter-deck  sea-, 
officers  were  of  the  number.  Many  of  the  petty  officers  too, 
were  Americans.  In  a  letter  written  August  the  11th,  Com- 
modore Jones  states  that  the  crew  of  the  Richard  consisted  of 
380  souls,  including  137  marines  or  soldiers. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  1779,  the  squadron  sailed  a  second 
time  from  the  roads  of  Groix,  having  the  French  privateers 
Monsieur  and  Granv?l!e  in  company,  and  under  the  orders  of 
Commodore  Jonos.  On  the  18th  a  valuable  prize  was  taken, 
and  some  difficulties  arising  with  the  c^)mmander  of  the  Moii- 
sieur  in  consequonce,  the  latter  parted  company  in  the  night 
of  the  19th.  This  was  a  serious  loss  in  the  way  of  foi'ce, 
that  ship  having  mounted  no  less  than  forty  guns.     A  prize 


88 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


11773. 


was  also  taken  on  tho  21st.  On  the  23d,  the  ships  were  oH' 
Cape  Clear,  and,  while  towing  the  Richard's  head  round  in  a 
calm,  tho  crew  of  a  boat  manned  by  Enj^lishmen,  cut  the  tow- 
line,  and  escaped.  Mr.  Cutting  Luiit,  the  sailing-master  of 
the  ship,  manned  another  boat,  and  taking  with  him  foui  sol- 
diers, he  pursued  the  fugitives.  A  fog  coming  on,  the  latter 
boat  was  iiot  able  to  find  the  ships  again,  and  her  people  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Through  this  desertion  and  its 
immediate  consequences,  the  Richard  lost  twenty  of  her  best 
men. 

The  day  after  the  escape  of  the  boat,  the  Cerf  was  sent 
close  in  to  reconnoitre,  and  to  look  for  the  missing  people,  and 
owing  to  some  circumstance  that  has  never  been  explained, 
but  which  does  not  appear  to  have  left  any  reproach  upon  her 
commander,  this  vessel  never  rejoined  the  squadron. 

A  gale  of  wind  followed,  during  which  the  Alliance  and 
Pallas  separated,  and  the  Granville  parted  company  to  convoy  a 
prize,  according  to  orders.  The  separation  of  the  Pallas  is' 
explained  by  the  fact  that  she  had  broken  her  tiller ;  but  that 
of  the  Alliance  can  only  be  imputed  to  the  unofficerlike,  as 
well  as  unseamanlike,  conduct  of  her  commander.  On  the 
morning  of  the  27th,  the  brig  Vengeance  was  the  only  vessel 
in  company  with  the  commodore. 

On  tho  morning  of  the  31st  of  August,  the  Bon  Hommo 
Richard,  being  off  Cape  Wrath,  captured  a  large  letter  of 
marque  bound  from  London  to  Quebec  ;  a  circumstance  that 
proves  the  expedients  to  which  the  English  ship-masters  were 
then  driven  to  avoid  capture,  this  vessel  having  actually  gone 
north-about  to  escape  the  cruisers  on  the  ordinary  track. 
While  in  chase  of  the  letter  of  marque,  the  Alliance  hove  ia 
sight,  having  another  London  ship,  a  Jamaica-man,  in  com- 
pany as  a  prize.  Captain  Landais,  of  the  Alliance,  an  officer, 
who,  as  it  has  since  been  ascertained,  had  been  obliged  to  quit 
the  French  navy  on  account  of  a  singularly  unfortunate  tem- 
per, now  began  to  exhibit  a  disorganising  and  mutinous  spirit, 
pretending,  as  his  ship  was  tlie  only  real  American  vessel  in 
the  squadron,  that  he  was  superior  to  the  orders  of  the  com- 
modore, and  that  he  would  do  as  he  jjleased  with  that  frigate. 

In  the  afternoon  a  strange  sail  was  made,  and  tho  Richard 
showed  the  Alliance's  number,  with  an  order  to  chase.  In- 
stead of  obeying  this  signal,  Captain  Landais  wore  and  laid 
the  head  of  his  ship  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that  necessary 
to  execute  the  order.     Several  other  signals  were  disobeyed 


i  i 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTOHY 


89 


in  an  equally  contemptuous  manner,  and  the  control  of  Com- 
modore Jones  over  the  movements  of  this  ship,  which,  on  tho 
whole,  ought  to  liave  been  the  most  efficient  in  the  squadron, 
may  b«3  said  to  have  ceased. 

Commodore  Jones  now  shaped  his  course  for  the  second 
rendezvous  he  had  appointed,  in  the  hope  of  meeting  the  miss- 
ing ships.  On  the  8(1  of  September,  the  Pallas  rejoined,  hav- 
ing captured  nothing.  Between  this  date  and  the  '  3th  of 
September,  the  squadron  continued  its  course  round  S  .otland, 
the  ships  separating  and  rejoining  constantly,  and  Cap  tin 
Landais  assuming  powers  over  the  prizes,  as  well  as  over  his 
own  vessel,  that  were  altogether  opposed  to  discipline,  and  to 
the  usages  of  every  regular  marine.  On  the  last  day  named, 
the  Cheviot  Hills  were  visible. 

Understanding  that  a  twenty-gun  ship  with  two  or  tlu*ee 
man-of-war  cutters  were  lying  nt  anchor  offLeith,  in  the  Frith 
of  Forth,  Commodore  Jones  now  planned  a  descent  on  that 
town.  At  this  time  the  Alliance  was  absent,  and  the  Pallas 
and  Vengeance  having  chased  to  the  southward,  tiie  necessity 
of  communicating  with  those  vessels  produced  u  delay  fatal  to 
a  project  which  had  been  admirably  conceived,  and  which  there 
is  reason  to  think  might  have  succeeded.  After  joining  hiS 
two  subordinates,  and  giving  his  orders.  Commodore  Jones 
beat  into  the  Frith,  and  continued  working  up  towards  Leith, 
until  the  17th,  when,  being  just  out  of  gun-shot  of  the  town, 
the  boats  were  got  out  and  inanned.  The  troops  to  be  landed 
were  commanded  by  M.  dc  Chamilliard ;  while  Mr.  Dale,  of 
the  Richard,  was  put  at  the  head  of  the  seamen .  The  latter 
had  received  his  orders,  and  was  just  about  to  go  into  his  boat, 
when  a  squall  struck  the  ships,  and  was  near  dismasting  the 
commodore.  Finding  himself  obliged  to  fill  his  sails,  Commo- 
dore Jones  endeavoured  to  keep  the  ground  he  had  gained,  but 
the  weight  of  the  wind  finally  compelled  all  the  vessels  to  bear 
up,  and  a  severe  gale  succeeding,  they  were  driven  into  the 
North  Sea,  where  one  of  the  prizos  foundered. 

It  is  not  easy  to  say  what  would  have  been  the  result  of  this 
dashing  enterprise,  had  the  weather  permitted  tlie  attempt. 
The  audacity  of  the  measure  might  have  insured  a  victory ; 
and  in  the  whole  design  we  discover  the  decision,  high  moral 
courage,  and  deep  enthusiasm  of  the  officer  who  conceived  it. 
It  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Dale,  a  man  of  singular  modesty, 
great  simplicity  of  character,  and  prudence,  that  success  would 
have  rewarded  the  effort. 
8* 


•      ''i 


f 


m) 


NAVAL     11  I  S  T  O  II  Y . 


[1779. 


•  Alwindonin^  \]\h  'old  projort.  with  roluctnnco,  Commodoro 
.Touch  a()[K'»rM  to  hn,,  tmiditutud  unothor  still  inort?  dnrin.; ,  i.tit 
luH  caltcaffucs,  as  ho  bitterly  styles  Iiem  cnptnins  in  oiu;  ul"  liiH 
Inttora,  rcfusod  lo  join  in  it.  It  is  worthy  of  rcnmrk,  thnt  when 
( 'ornmodoro  .fonra  laid  this  socond  schiMTin,  whi(!h  has  novcr 
IxMMj  explained,  Ix-fom  the  young  sca-olHcers  of  his  own  ship, 
they  aiuionneiMl  their  readiness  as  one  man  lo  second  him, 
heart  and  hand.  The  enterprise  was  drop[ied,  liowever,  in 
consequeneo  principally  of  the  ohjections  of  Oaplain  ('oltineaii, 
of  tlic;  I'allas,  an  olVieer  for  whose  judj^nient  tho  commodore. 
apptMM's  to  have  enltjrfained  nnich  respect. 

The  I'allas  and  VengcNince  even  liift  the  Richard,  probably 
witli  a  view  to  prevent  tl»e  attempt  to  execute  this  nameless 
scheme,  and  the  commodore  was  compellcid  to  ft)llow  bis  cap- 
tains to  thesoutliward,  or  to  lose  them  altogether.  OtV  Whitby 
tlie  ships  last  named  joined  again,  and  on  the  iJlst  the  Kichurd 
chascul  a  collier  ashore  iK^ween  FlamljorouRh  Head  and  tho 
Spurn.  The  next  day  tho  Richard  appeared  in  the  mouth  of 
the  1  lumber,  with  tho  Veiifreanco  in  company;  and  several 
vessels  were  taken  or  destroyed.  Pilots  were  enticed  on  board, 
and  a  knowUMl;;e  of  tiio  state  of  thinj^s  in-shoro  was  obtained. 
It  appeared  that  the  whole  coast  was  alarmed,  and  that  many 
persons  were  actually  burying  their  pluto.  Some  twelve  or 
thirteen  vessels  :v  (ill  had  now  been  taken  hy  the  squadron, 
i'ud  quite  as  lunny  I'vore  (kistroyed ;  and  coupling  these  facts 
with  the  nppraiancf  of  the  ships  on  tho  coast  and  in  the  Frith, 
rumou'*  hat!  fnv.^ileii  tho  whole  into  one  of  its  usual  terrific 
tales.  Perhaps  to  vessels  of  war  had  ever  before  excited  so 
much  alaruj  on  the  coast  of  (Ireat  Britain. 

tinder  the  circumstances,  Conmiodore  .Tones  did  not  think 
it  prudent  to  remain  so  close  In  with  the  land,  ami  ho  stood 
out  towanls  Flamborough  Head.  Here  two  \ar^r  sail  were 
made,  which  next  day  proved  to  be  the  Alliance  and  the  Pallas. 
This  was  on  the  2'M  of  Septend)er,  and  brings  us  down  to  the 
most  memorable  event  in  this  extrnordinary  cruise. 

The  wind  was  light  at  the  south  .vurd,  tho  water  smooth,  and 
many  vessels  wew  in  sight  steering  in  dirterent  dircctions. 
About  noon,  his  original  squadron,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Corf  and  the  two  privateers,  iK^ing  all  in  company,  Commodore 
Jones  manned  one  of  the  pilot-boats  ho  had  detained,  and  sent 
her  in  chase  of  a  brig  that  was  lying-to,  to  windward.  On 
board  this  little  vessel  were  put  Mr.  Lunt,  the  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  fifteen  men,  all  of  whom  were  out  of  tho  ship  for 


1770.] 


NAVAL     HI  H TORY 


91 


and 

ions. 

tho 

lore 

Isent 

On 
lieu- 

for 


n  Ilommo  Richard, 

San  forty  sail  woro 

Fluniborough 

''      r.     From  prc- 

lown  to  contain 

fc5(  apis  44,  Captain 


tho  rest  of  tho  day.  In  consequence  of  the  loss  of  tho  two 
boats  oil*  L'u|)o  Clear,  tljo  absence  of  this  parly  in  tin;  pilot- 
bout,  and  the  nuinbjr  of  men  that  liad  lM;en  put  in  prizes,  the 
Uichurd  was  now  leil  with  only  one  sca-Ucutenont,  and  with 
lit  lie  more  than  three  hundred  souls  on  board,  exclusively  of 
tho  {)rl,soaor8.  Of  tho  latter,  there  wero  between  one  and  two 
hundrt'd  in  the  ship. 

Tho  pilot-boat  had  hardly  left  the 
wlien  tho  leading  ships  of  a  fleet  of 
se(!n  stretchinj^  out  on  a  bowliii' 
Head,  turning  down  towards  tho  atr  is 
vious  intelligonco  this  fleet  was  imm 
tho  Baltic  sliipg,  under  tho  convoy  ol  lie 
Richard  Pearson,  and  a  hired  ship  that  had  been  put  into  tho 
King's  service,  called  the  Countess  of  Scarborough.  The  latter 
was  commanded  by  Captain  I'iercy,  and  mounted  22  guns. 
As  the  interest  of  tho  succeeiling  details  will  chiefly  centre  in 
the  Serapis  and  tho  Richard,  it  may  bo  well  to  givo  a  more 
minute  account  of  the  actual  force  of  the  former. 

At  the  period  of  whici  vo  are  now  writing,  forty-fours  were 
usually  built  on  two  decks.  Such,  then,  was  the  construction 
of  this  ship,  which  was  new,  and  had  the  reputation  of  being 
a  fast  v(!ssel.  On  lun*  lower  gun-deck  she  mounted  20  eighteen- 
pound  guns;  on  her  upper  pun-dock,  20  nine-pound  guns;  and 
on  her  quarter-deck  and  forecastle,  10  six-pound  grms ; 
making  an  armament  of  50  guns  in  the  v/holo.  She  h:id  a 
regularly  tuiined  man-of-war's  crew  of  320  souls,  15  of  whom, 
however,  wero  said  to  have  been  Lascars. 

When  the  squadron  made  this  convoy,  the  mcn-of-u.ir  were 
in-shore,  astern  and  to  leeward,  probably  with  a  view  to  keep 
the  merchantmen  together.  The  bailiffs  of  Scarborough,  per- 
ceiving the  danger  into  which  this  little  fleet  was  running,  had 
sent  a  boat  off  to  the  Serapis  to  apprise  her  of  the  presence  of 
a  hostile  force ;  and  Captain  Piiu'son  fired  two  guns,  signalling 
the  leading  vessels  to  come  under  his  lee.  These  orders  were 
disregarded,  however,  the  headmost  ships  standing  out  until 
they  were  about  a  league  from  the  land. 

Commodore  Jones  having  ascertained  the  character  of  (he 
fleet  in  sight,  showed  a  signal  for  n  general  chase,  another  to 
recall  tho  lieutenant  in  the  pilot-boat,  and  crossed  royal  yards 
on  board  the  Richard.  These  signs  of  hostility  alarmed  the 
nearest  English  ships,  which  hurriedly  tacked  together,  fired 
alarm  guns,  let  fly  their  top-gallant  sheets,  and  made  other 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Hiotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


92 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1779. 


signals  of  the  danger  they  were  in,  while  they  now  gladly 
availed  themselves  of  the  presence  of  the  vessels  of  war,  to  run 
to  leeward,  or  sought  shelter  closer  in  with  the  land.  The 
Serapis,  on  the  contrary,  signalled  the  Scarborough  to  follow, 
and  hauled  boldly  out  to  sea,  until  she  had  got  far  enough  to 
windward,  when  she  tacked  and  stood  in-shore  again,  to  cover 
her  convoy. 

The  Alliance  being  much  the  fastest  vessel  of  the  American 
squadron,  took  the  lead  in  the  chase,  speaking  the  Pallas  as 
she  passed.  It  has  been  proved  that  Cap'ain  Landais  told  the 
comuiander  of  the  latter  vessel  on  this  occasion,  that  if  the 
stranger  proved  to  be  a  fifty,  they  had  nothing  to  do  but  to 
endeavour  to  escape.  His  subsequent  conduct  fully  confirmed 
this  opinion,  for  no  sooner  had  he  run  down  near  enough  to  the 
two  English  vessels  of  war,  to  ascertain  their  force,  than  he 
hauled  up,  and  stood  oflT  from  the  land  again.  All  this  was 
not  only  contrary  to  ths  regular  order  of  battle,  but  contrary 
to  the  positive  command  of  Commodore  Jones,  who  had  kept 
the  signal  to  form  a  line  abroad,  which  should  have  brought 
the  Alliance  astern  of  the  Richard,  and  the  Pallas  in  the  van. 
Just  at  this  time,  the  Pallas  spoke  the  Hichard  and  inquired 
what  station  she  should  take,  and  was  also  directed  to  form 
the  line.  But  the  extraordinary  movements  of  Captain  Lan- 
dais appear  to  have  produced  some  indecision  in  the  command- 
er of  the  Pallas,  as  he,  too,  soon  after  tacked  and  stood  off"  from 
the  land.  Captain  Cotaneau,  however,  was  a  brave  man,  and 
subsequently  did  his  duty  in  the  action ;  and  this  manoeuvre 
has  been  explained  by  the  Richard's  hauling  up  suddenly  for 
the  land,  which  induced  him  to  think  that  her  crew  had  muti- 
nied and  were  running  away  with  the  ship.  Such  was  the 
want  of  confidence  that  prevailed  in  a  force  so  singularly  com- 
posed, and  such  were  the  disadvantages  under  which  this  cele- 
brated combat  was  Ibught ! 

So  far,  however,  from  meditating  retreat  or  mutiny,  the  peo- 
ple of  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  had  gone  cheerfully  to  their 
quarters,  although  every  man  on  board  was  conscious  of  the 
superiority  of  the  force  with  which  they  were  about  to  con- 
tend ;  and  the  high  unconquerable  spirit  of  the  commander 
appears  to  have  communicated  itself  to  the  crew. 

It  was  now  quite  dark,  and  Commodore  Jones  was  compel- 
led to  follow  the  movements  of  the  enemy  by  the  aid  of  a  night- 
glass.  It  is  probable  that  the  obscurity  which  prevailed  add- 
ed to  the  indecision  of  the  commander  of  the  Pallas,  for  from 


1779.] 


NAV  A  L     HISTORY 


93 


this  time  until  the  moon  rose,  objects  at  a  distance  were  dis- 
tinguished with  difficulty,  and  even  after  the  moon  appeared, 
with  uncertainty.  The  Richard,  however,  stood  steadily  on, 
and  about  half-past  seven,  she  came  up  with  the  Serapis,  the 
Scarborough  being  a  short  distance  to  leeward.  The  Ameri- 
can ship  was  to  windward,  and  as  she  drew  slowly  near,  Cap- 
tain Pearson  hailed.  The  answer  was  equivocal,  and  both 
ships  delivered  their  entire  broadsides  nearly  simultaneously. 
The  water  being  quite  smooth,  Commodore  Jones  had  relied 
materially  on  the  eighteens  that  were  in  the  gun-room  ;  but  at 
this  discharge  two  of  the  six  that  were  fired  bursted,  blowing 
up  the  deck  above,  and  killing  and  wounding  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  people  that  were  stationed  below.  This  disaster 
caused  all  the  heavy  guns  to  be  instantly  deserted.  It  at  once 
reduced  the  broadside  of  the  Richard  to  about  a  third  less  than 
that  of  her  opponent,  not  to  include  the  disadvantage  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  force  that  remained  was  distributed 
among  light  guns.  In  short,  the  combat  was  now  between  a 
twelve-pounder  and  an  eighteen-pounder  frigate ;  a  species  of 
contest  in  which,  ii  has  been  said,  we  know  not  with  what 
truth,  the  former  had  never  been  known  to  prevail.  Commo- 
dore Jones  informs  us  himself,  that  all  his  hopes,  after  this  ac- 
cident, rested  on  the  twelve- pounders  that  were  under  the  com- 
mand of  his  first  lieutenant. 

The  Richard,  having  backed  her  topsails,  exchanged  seve- 
ral broadsides,  when  she  filled  again  and  shot  ahead  of  the 
Serapis,  which  ship  luffed  across  her  stern  and  came  up  on 
the  weather  quarter  of  her  antagonist,  taking  the  wind  out  of 
her  sails,  and,  in  her  turn,  passing  ahead.  All  this  time,  which 
consumed  half  an  hour,  the  cannonading  was  close  and  furi- 
ous. The  Scarborough  now  drew  near,  but  it  is  uncertain 
whether  she  fired  or  not.  On  the  side  of  the  Americans  it  is 
affirmed  that  she  raked  the  Richard  at  least  once ;  but,  by  the 
report  of  her  own  commander,  it  would  appear  that,  on  ac- 
count of  the  obscurity  and  the  smoke,  he  was  afraid  to  dis- 
charge his  guns.  Unwilling  to  lie  by,  and  to  be  exposed  to 
useless  injury,  Captain  Piercy  edged  away  from  the  combat- 
ants, exchanging  a  broadside  or  two,  at  a  great  distance,  with 
the  Alliance,  and  shortly  afterwards  was  engaged  at  close 
quarters  by  the  Pallas,  which  ship  compelled  him  to  strike, 
after  a  creditable  resistance- of  about  an  hour. 

The  Serapis  kept  her  luff,  sailing  and  working  better  than 
the  Richard,  and  it  was  the  intention  of  Captain  Pearson  to 


I  ». 


94 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


[1779. 


pay  broad  off  across  the  latter's  fore-foot,  as  soon  as  lie  had 
got  far  enough  ahead ;  but  making  the  attempt,  and  finding 
he  had  not  room,  he  put  his  helm  hard  down  to  keep  clear  of 
his  adversary,  when  the  double  movement  brought  the  two 
ships  nearly  in  a  line,  the  Serapis  leading.  By  these  uncer- 
tain evolutions,  the  English  ship  lost  some  of  her  way,  while 
the  American,  having  kept  her  sails  trimmed,  not  only  closed, 
but  actually  ran  aboard  of  her  antagonist,  bows  on,  a  little  on 
her  weather  quarter.  The  wind  being  light,  much  time  was 
consumed  in  these  different  mancBUvres ;  and  near  an  hour  had 
elapsed  between  the  firing  of  the  first  guns,  and  the  moment 
when  the  vessels  got  foul  of  each  other  in  the  manner  just  de- 
scribed. 

The  English  now  thought  it  was  the  intention  of  the  Ame- 
ricans to  board,  and  a  few  minutes  passed  in  the  uncertainty 
which  such  an  expectation  would  create ;  but  the  positions  of 
the  vessels  were  not  favourable  for  either  party  to  pass  into 
the  -^oposing  ship.  There  being  at  this  moment  a  perfect  ces- 
satio.1  of  the  firing,  Captain  Pearson  demanded,  "  Have  you 
struck  your  colours  ?"  "  I  have  not  yet  begun  to  fight,"  was 
the  answer. 

The  yards  of  the  Richard  were  braced  aback,  and,  the  sails 
of  the  Serapis  being  full,  the  ships  separated.  As  soon  as  far 
enough  asunder,  the  Serapis  put  her  helm  hard  down,  laid  all 
aback  forward,  shivered  her  after-sails,  and  wore  short  round 
on  her  heel,  or  was  box-hauled,  with  a  view,  most  probably, 
of  luffing  up  athwart  the  bow  of  her  enemy,  in  order  to  again 
rake  her.  Commodore  Jones,  by  this  time,  was  cor  »us  of 
the  hopelessness  of  success  against  so  much  heav  ,ietal, 
and  after  having  backed  astern  some  distance,  he  fill*..*  on  the 
other  tack,  luffing  up  with  the  intention  of  meeting  the  enemy 
as  he  came  to  the  wind,  and  of  laying  him  r+hwart  hawse.  In 
the  smoke  one  pai'ty  or  the  other  miscalculated  the  distance, 
for  the  two  vessels  came  foul  again,  the  bi.waprit  of  the  Eng- 
lish ship  passing  over  the  poop  of  the  American.  As  neither 
had  much  way,  the  collision  did  but  li' tie  injury,  and  Commo- 
dore Jones,  with  his  own  hands,  immediately  lashed  the  ene- 
my's head-gear  to  his  mizzen-mast.  The  pressure  on  the  after- 
sails  of  the  Serapis,  which  vessel  was  nearly  before  the  wind 
at  the  time,  brought  her  hull  round,  and  the  two  ships  gradu- 
ally fell  close  alongside  of  each  other,  head  and  stern,  the  jib- 
boom  of  the  Serapis  giving  way  with  the  strain.  A  spare  an- 
chor of  the  English  ship  now  hooked  in  the  quarter  of  the 


1 


1779] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


95 


had 


an- 
the 


American,  and  additional  lashings  were  got  out  on  board  the 
latter  to  secure  her  in  this  position. 

Captain  Pearson,  who  was  as  much  aware  of  his  advantage 
in  a  regular  combat  as  his  opponent  could  be  of  his  own  infe- 
riority, no  sooner  perceived  the  vessels  foul,  than  he  dropped 
an  anchor,  in  the  hope  that  the  Richard  would  drift  clear  of 
him.  But  such  an  expectation  was  perfectly  futile,  as  the 
yards  were  interloeked,  the  hulls  were  pressed  close  against 
each  other,  there  were  lashings  fore  and  aft^and  even  the  orna- 
mental work  aided  in  holding  the  ships  together.  When  the 
cables  of  the  Serapis  took  the  strain,  the  vessels  slowly  tend- 
ed, with  the  bows  of  the  Serapis  and  the  stern  of  the  Richard 
to  the  tide.  At  this  instant  the  English  made  an  attempt  to 
board,  but  were  repulsed  with  trifling  loss. 

All  this  time  the  battle  raged.  The  lower  ports  of  the  Se- 
rapis having  been  closed  to  prevent  boarding,  as  the  vessel 
swung,  they  were  now  blown  off,  in  order  to  allow  the  guns  to 
be  run  out ;  and  cases  actually  occurred  in  which  the  rammers 
had  to  be  thrust  into  the  ports  of  the  opposite  ship  in  order  to 
be  entered  into  the  muzzles  of  their  proper  guns.  It  is  evident 
that  such  a  conflict  must  have  been  of  short  duration.  In  ef- 
fect, the  heavy  metal  of  the  Serapis,  in  one  or  two  discharges, 
cleared  all  before  it,  and  the  main-deck  guns  of  the  Richard 
were  in  a  great  measure  abandoned.  Most  of  the  people  went 
on  the  upper-deck,  and  a  great  number  collected  on  the  fore- 
castle, where  they  were  safe  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  con- 
tinuing to  fight  by  throwing  grenades  and  using  muskets. 

In  this  stage  of  the  combat,  the  Serapis  was  tearing  her  an- 
tagonist to  pieces  below,  almost  without  resistance  from  her 
enemy's  batteries ;  only  two  guns  on  the  quarter-deck,  and 
three  or  four  of  the  twelves,  being  worked  at  all.  To  the  for- 
mer, by  shifting  a  gun  from  the  larboard  side.  Commodore 
Jones  succeeded  in  adding  a  third,  all  of  which  were  used  with 
effect,  under  his  immediate  inspection,  to  the  close  of  the  ac- 
tion. He  could  not  muster  force  enough  to  get  over  a  second 
gun.  But  the  combat  would  now  have  soon  terminated,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  courage  and  activity  of  the  people  aloft. 
Strong  parties  had  been  placed  in  the  tops,  and,  at  the  end  of  a 
short  contest,  the  A.nericans  had  driven  every  man  belonging 
fo  the  enemy  below ;  after  which  they  kept  up  so  animated  a 
fire,  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Serapis  in  particular,  as  to 
drive  nearly  every  man  oflfit,  that  was  not  shot  down. 

Thus,  while  the  English  had  the  battle  nearly  to  themselves 


96 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1779. 


below,  their  enemies  had  the  control  above  the  upper-deck. 
Having  cleared  the  tops  of  the  Serapis,  some  American  sea- 
men lay  out  on  the  Richard's  main-yard,  and  began  to  throw 
hand-grenades  upon  the  two  upper  decks  of  the  English  ship ; 
the  men  on  the  forecastle  of  their  own  vessel  seconding  these 
efforts,  by  casting  the  same  combustibles  through  the  ports  of 
the  Serapis.  At  lengili  one  man,  in  particular,  became  so 
hardy  as  to  take  his  post  on  the  extreme  end  of  the  yard, 
whence,  provided  yfith  a  bucket  filled  with  combustibles,  and  a 
match,  he  dropped  the  grenades  with  so  much  precision,  that 
one  passed  through  the  main  hatch-way.  The  powder-boys 
of  the  Serapis  had  got  more  cartridges  up  than  were  wanted, 
and,  in  their  hurry,  they  had  carelessly  laid  a  row  of  them  on 
the  main-deck,  in  a  line  with  the  guns.  The  grenade  just 
mentioned  set  fire  to  some  loose  powder  that  was  lying  near, 
and  the  flash  passed  from  cartridge  to  cartridge,  beginning 
abreast  of  the  main-mast,  and  running  quite  aft. 

The  effect  of  this  explosion  was  awful.  More  than  twenty 
men  were  instantly  killed,  many  of  them  being  left  with  no- 
thing on  them  but  the  collars  and  wristbands  of  their  shirts,  and 
the  waistbands  of  their  duck  trowsers ;  while  the  official  returns 
of  the  ship,  a  week  after  the  action,  show  that  there  were  no 
less  than  thirty-eight  wounded  on  board,  still  alive,  who  had 
been  injured  in  this  manner,  and  of  whom  thirty  were  then  said 
to  be  in  great  danger.  Captain  Pearson  described  this  explo- 
sion as  having  destroyed  nearly  all  the  men  at  the  five  or  six 
aftermost  guns.  On  the  whole,  near  sixty  of  the  enemy's  peo- 
ple must  have  been  instantly  disabled  by  this  sudden  blow. 

The  advantage  thus  obtained,  by  the  coolness  and  intrepi- 
dity of  the  topmen,  in  a  great  measure  restored  the  chances  of 
the  combat,  and,  by  lessening  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  enabled 
Commodore  Jones  to  increase  his.  In  the  same  degree  that  it 
encouraged  the  crew  of  the  Richard,  it  diminished  the  hopes  of 
the  people  of  the  Serapis.  One  of  the  guns  under  the  imme- 
diate inspection  of  Commodore  Jones  had  been  pointed  some 
time  against  the  main-mast  of  his  enemy,  while  the  two  others 
had  seconded  the  fire  of  the  tops,  with  grape  and  canister. 
Kept  below  decks  by  this  double  attack,  where  a  scene  of  fright- 
fiil  horror  was  present  in  the  agonies  of  the  wounded,  and  the 
effects  of  the  explosion,  the  spirits  of  the  English  began  to 
droop,  and  there  was  a  moment  when  a  trifle  would  have  in- 
duced them  to  submit.    From  this  despondency  they  were  tem- 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTOIIY 


97 


porarily  raised,  by  one  of  those  unlooked-for  events  that  cha- 
racterise tlie  vicissitudes  of  battle. 

After  exchanging  the  ineffective  and  distant  broadsides, 
already  mentioned,  with  the  Scarborough,  the  Alliance  had 
kept  standing  off  and  on,  to  leeward  of  the  two  principal  ships, 
out  of  the  direction  of  their  shot,  when,  about  half-past  eight 
she  appeared  crossing  the  stern  of  the  Serapis  and  the  bow  of 
the  Richard,  firing  at  such  a  distance  as  to  render  it  impossible 
to  say  which  vessel  would  suffer  the  most.  As  soon  as  she 
had  drawn  out  of  the  range  of  her  own  guns,  her  helm  was 
put  up,  and  she  ran  down  near  a  mile  to  leeward,  hovering 
about  until  the  firing  had  ceased  between  the  Pallas  and  the 
Scarborough,  when  she  came  within  hail  and  spoke  both  of 
these  vessels.  Captain  Cottineau  of  the  Pallas  earnestly  en- 
treated Captain  Landais  to  take  possession  of  his  prize,  and 
allow  him  to  go  to  the  assistance  of  the  Richard,  or  to  stretch 
up  to  windward  in  the  Alliance  himself,  and  succour  the  Com- 
modore. 

Afler  some  delay.  Captain  Landais  took  the  important  duty 
of  assisting  his  consort,  into  his  own  hands,  and  making  two 
long  stretches,  under  his  "topsails,  he  appeared,  about  the  time 
at  which  we  have  arrived  in  the  narration  of  the  combat,  di- 
rectly to  windward  of  the  two  ships,  with  the  head  of  the  Al- 
liance to  the  westward.  Here  the  latter  ship  once  more  opened 
her  fire,  doing  equal  damage,  at  least,  to  friend  and  foe.  Keep- 
ing away  a  little,  and  still  continuing  her  fire,  the  Alliance  was 
soon  on  the  larboard  quarter  of  the  Richard,  and,  it  is  even 
affirmed,  that  her  guns  were  discharged  until  she  had  got  nearly 
abeam. 

Fifty  voices  now  hailed  to  tell  the  people  of  the  Alliance  that 
they  were  firing  into  the  wrong  ship,  and  three  lanterns  were 
shown,  in  a  line,  on  the  offside  of  the  Richard,  which  was  the 
regular  signal  of  recognition  for  a  night  action.  An  officer 
was  directed  to  hail,  and  to  command  Captain  Landais  to  lay 
the  enemy  aboard ;  and  the  question  being  put  whether  the 
order  was  comprehended,  an  answer  was  given  in  the  affirma- 
tive. 

As  the  moon  had  been  up  some  time,  it  was  impossible  not 
to  distinguish  between  the  vessels,  the  Richard  being  all  black, 
while  the  Serapis  had  yellow  sides ;  and  the  impression  seems 
to  have  been  general  in  the  former  vessel,  that  she  had  been 
attacked  intentionally.  At  the  discharge  of  the  first  guns  of 
the  Alliance,  the  people  left  one  or  two  of  the  twelves  on  board 
0 


I'flW* 


i 


98 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


11779. 


the  Richard,  which  they  had  begun  to  fight  again,  saying  that 
the  Englishmen  in  the  Alliance  had  got  possession  of  the  ship, 
and  were  helping  the  enemy.  It  appears  that  this  discharge 
dismounted  a  gun  or  two,  extinguished  several  lanterns  on  the 
main  deck,  and  did  a  great  deal  of  damage  alofl. 

The  Alliance  hauled  off  to  some  distance,  keeping  always 
on  the  ofT-side  of  the  Richard,  and  soon  after  she  reappeared 
edging  down  on  the  larboard  beam  of  her  consort,  hauling  up 
athwart  the  bows  of  that  ship  and  the  stern  of  her  antagonist. 
On  this  occasion,  it  is  aiHrmed  that  her  fire  recommenced, 
when,  by  possibility,  the  shot  could  only  reach  the  Serapis 
through  the  Richard.  Ten  or  twelve  men  appear  to  have 
been  killed  and  wounded  on  the  forecastle  of  the  latter  ship, 
which  was  crowded  at  the  time,  and  among  them  was  an  offi- 
cer of  the  name  of  Caswell,  who,  with  his  dying  breath,  main- 
tained that  ho  had  received  his  wound  by  the  fire  of  the 
Richard's  consort. 

After  crossing  the  bows  of  the  Richard,  and  the  stern  of 
the  Serapis,  delivering  grape  as  she  passed,  the  Alliance  ra.i 
off  to  leeward,  again  standing  oft*  and  on,  doing  nothing,  for 
the  remainder  of  the  combat. 

The  fire  of  the  Alliance  added  greatly  to  the  leaks  of  the 
Richard,  which  ship,  by  this  time,  had  received  so  much  water 
through  the  shot-holes,  as  to  begin  to  settle.  It  is  even  affirmed 
by  many  witnesses,  that  the  most  dangerous  shot-holes  on 
board  the  Richard,  were  under  her  larboard  bow,  and  larboard 
counter,  in  places  where  they  could  not  have  been  received 
from  the  fire  of  the  Serapis.  This  evidence,  however,  is  not 
unanswerable,  as  it  has  been  seen  that  the  Serapis  luffed  up  on 
the  larboard-quar-er  of  the  Richard  in  the  commencement  of 
the  action,  and,  forging  ahead,  was  subsequently  on  her  lar- 
board bow,  endeavouring  to  cross  her  fore-foot.  It  is  certainly 
possible  that  shot  may  have  struck  the  Richard  in  the  places 
mentioned,  on  these  occasions,  and  that,  as  the  ship  settled  in 
the  water,  from  other  leaks,  the  holes  then  made  may  have 
suddenly  increased  the  danger.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  Al- 
liance did  actually  fire  while  on  the  bow  and  quarter  of  the 
Richard,  as  would  appear  by  a  mass  of  uncontradicted  testi- 
mony, the  dangerous  shot-holes  may  very  well  have  come 
from  that  ship. 

Let  the  injuries  have  been  received  from  what  quarter  they 
might,  soon  after  the  Alliance  had  run  to  leeward,  an  alarm 
was  spread  in  the  Richard  that  the  ship  was  sinking.     Both 


[1779. 


1779} 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


99 


5  come 


vessels  hnd  been  on  fire  several  times,  and  some  difficulty  had 
been  experienced  in  extinguishing  the  flumes ;  but  here  was  a 
new  enemy  to  contend  with,  and,  as  the  information  came  from 
the  carpenter,  whose  duty  it  was  to  sound  the  pump-wells,  it 
produced  a  good  deal  of  consternation.  The  Richard  had 
more  than  a  hundred  English  prisoners  on  board,  and  the 
master-at-arms,  in  the  hurry  of  the  moment,  let  them  all  up 
from  below,  in  order  to  save  their  lives.  In  the  confusion,  the 
master  of  the  letter  of  marque,  that  had  been  taken  off  the 
north  of  Scotland,  passed  through  a  port  of  the  Richard  into 
one  of  the  Serapis,  when  he  informed  Captain  Pearson,  that 
a  few  minutes  would  probably  decide  the  battle  in  his  favour, 
or  carry  his  enemy  down,  he  himself  having  been  liberated  in 
order  to  save  his  life.  Just  at  this  instant  the  gunner,  who 
had  little  to  attend  to  at  his  quarters,  came  on  deck,  and 
not  perceiving  Commodore  Jones,  or  Mr.  Dale,  b^th  of  whom 
were  occupied  with  the  liberated  prisoners,  und  believing  the 
master,  the  only  other  superior  he  had  m  the  ship,  to  be  dead, 
he  ran  up  on  the  poop  to  haul  down  the  colours.  Fortunately 
the  flag-staff  had  been  shot  away,  and,  the  ensign  already 
hanging  in  the  water,  he  had  no  other  means  of  letting  his 
intention  be  known,  than  by  calling  out  for  quarter.  Captain 
Pearson  now  hailed  to  inquire  if  the  Richard  demanded  quar- 
ter, and  was  answered  by  Commodore  Jones  himself,  in  the 
negative.  It  is  probable  that  the  reply  was  not  heard,  or,  if 
heard,  supposed  to  come  from  an  unauthorised  so'uce;  lor,  en- 
couraged by  what  he  had  learned  from  the  escaped  prisoner, 
by  the  cry,  and  by  the  confusion  that  prevailed  in  the  -•Jch- 
ard,  the  English  captain  directed  his  boarders  to  be  ».  vbd 
away,  and,  as  soon  as  mustered,  they  were  ordered  to  take 
possession  of  the  prize.  Some  of  the  men  actually  got  on  the 
gunwale  of  the  latter  ship,  but  fividing  boarders  ready  to  repel 
boarders,  they  made  a  precipitate  retreat.  All  this  time,  the 
top-men  were  not  idle,  and  the  enemy  were  soon  driven  below 
again  with  loss. 

In  the  mean  while,  Mr.  Dale,  who  no  longer  had  a  gun 
that  could  be  fought,  mustered  the  prisoners  at  the  pumps, 
turning  their  consternation  to  account,  and  probably  keening 
the  Richard  afloat  by  the  very  blunder  that  had  come  so  near 
losing  her.  The  ships  were  now  on  fire  again,  and  both  par- 
ties, with  the  exception  of  a  few  guns  on  each  side,  ceased 
fighting,  in  order  to  subdue  this  common  enemy.  In  the 
course  of  the  combat,  the  Serapis  is  said  to  have  been  set  on 


T 


100 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[PTi). 


fire  no  loss  than  twelve  times,  while,  towards  its  close,  as  will 
be  seen  in  the  sequel,  the  Richard  was  burning  all  the  while. 

As  soon  as  order  wus  onco  more  restored  in  the  Richard, 
her  chances  of  success  began  greatly  to  increase,  while  the 
English,  driven  under  cover,  almost  to  a  man,  ap|)enr  to 
have  lost,  in  a  great  degree,  the  hope  of  victory.  Their  fire 
materially  slackened,  while  the  Richard  again  brought  a  few 
more  guns  to  bear ;  the  main-mast  of  the  Serapis  began  to 
totter,  and  her  resistance,  in  general,  to  lessen.  About  an 
hour  after  the  explosion,  or  between  three  hours  and  three 
hours  and  a  half  after  the  first  gun  was  fired,  and  between  two 
hours  and  two  hours  and  a  half  after  the  ships  were  lashed  to- 
gether, Captain  Pearson  hauled  down  the  colours  of  the  Sera- 
pis  with  his  own  hands,  the  men  refusing  to  expose  themselves 
to  the  fire  of  the  Richard's  tops. 

When  it  was  known  that  the  colours  of  the  English  had 
been  lowered,  Mr.  Dale  got  upon  the  gunwale  of  the  Richard, 
and  laying  hold  of  the  main-brace-pendant,  ho  swung  himself 
on  board  the  Serapis.  On  the  quarter-deck  of  the  latter  ho 
found  Captain  Pearson,  almost  alone,  that  gallant  officer  having 
maintained  his  post,  throughout  the  whole  of  this  close  and 
murderous  conflict.  Just  as  Mr.  Dale  addressed  the  English 
captain,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Serapis  came  up  from  below 
to  inquire  if  the  Ricliard  had  struck,  her  fire  having  entirely 
ceased.  Mr.  Dale  now  gave  the  English  officer  to  understand 
that  he  was  mistaken  in  the  position  of  things,  the  Serapis 
having  struck  to  the  Richard,  and  not  the  Richard  to  the  Se- 
rapis. Captain  Pearson  confirming  this  account,  his  subordi- 
nate acquiesced,  offering  to  go  below  and  silence  the  guns  that 
were  still  playing  upon  the  American  ship.  To  this  Mr.  Dale 
would  not  consent,  but  both  the  English  officers  were  imme- 
diately passed  on  board  the  Richard.  The  firing  was  then 
stopped  below.  Mr.  Dale  had  been  closely  followed  to  the 
quarter-deck  of  the  Serapis,  by  Mr.  Mayrant,  a  midshipman, 
and  a  party  of  boarders,  and  as  the  former  struck  the  quarter- 
deck of  the  prize,  he  was  run  through  the  thigh,  by  a  boarding- 
pike,  in  the  hands  of  a  man  in  the  waist,  who  was  ignorant  of 
the  surrender.  Thus  did  the  close  of  this  remarkable  combat 
resemble  its  other  features  in  singularity,  blood  being  shed  and 
shot  fired,  while  the  boarding  ofllicer  was  in  amicable  discourse 
with  his  prisoners ! 

As  soon  as  Captain  Pearson  was  on  board  the  Richard,  and 
Mr.  Dale  had  received  a  proper  number  of  hands  in  the  prize. 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y. 


101 


,  and 
prize, 


Commodore  Jones  ordered  the  lashings  to  bo  cut,  and  tho  ves- 
sels to  bo  separated,  hailing  the  Scrapis,  as  the  Hichard  drifted 
from  alongside  of  her,  and  ordering  her  to  follow  his  own  ship. 
Mr.  Dale,  now  had  the  head  sails  of  the  Scrapis  braced  sharp 
aback,  and  the  wheel  put  down,  but  the  vessel  refused  to  answer 
her  helm  or  her  canvass.  Surprised  and  excited  at  this  cir- 
cumstance, the  gallant  lieutenant  sprang  from  the  binnacle  on 
which  ho  had  seated  himself,  and  fell  his  length  on  the  deck. 
He  had  been  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  splinter,  and 
until  this  moment  was  ignorant  of  the  injury !  He  was  replaced 
on  the  binnacle,  when  the  master  of  the  Serapis  came  up  and 
acquainted  him  with  the  fact  that  tho  ship  was  anchored. 

By  this  time,  Mr.  Lunt,  tho  second  lieutenant,  who  had  been 
absent  in  the  pilot  boat,  had  got  alongside,  and  was  on  board 
the  prize.  To  this  officer  Mr.  Dale  now  consigned  the  charge 
of  the  Serapis,  the  cable  was  cut,  and  the  ship  followed  the 
Richard,  as  ordered. 

Although  this  protracted  and  bloody  combat  had  now  ended, 
neither  the  danger  nor  the  labours  of  the  victors  were  over. 
The  Richard  was  both  sinking  and  on  fire.  The  flames  had 
got  within  the  ceiling,  and  extended  so  fur  that  they  menaced 
the  magazine,  while  all  the  pumps,  in  constant  use,  could  barely 
keep  the  water  at  the  same  level.  Had  it  depended  on  the  ex- 
hausted people  of  the  two  combatants,  the  ship  must  have  soon 
sunk,  but  the  other  vessels  of  the  squadron  sent  hands  on  board 
the  Richard,  to  assist  at  the  pumps.  So  imminent  did  the 
danger  from  the  fire  become,  that  all  the  powder  was  got  on 
deck,  to  prevent  an  e'xplosion.  In  this  manner  did  the  night 
of  the  battle  pass,  with  one  gang  always  at  the  pumps,  and 
another  contending  with  the  flames,  until  about  ten  o'clock  in 
the  forenoon  of  the  24th,  when  the  latter  were  got  under.  Afler 
the  action,  eight  or  ten  Englishmen  in  tho  Richard,  stole  a 
boat  from  the  Serapis,  and  ran  away  with  it,  landing  at  Scar- 
borough. Several  of  the  men  were  so  alarmed  with  the  con- 
dition of  their  ship,  as  to  jump  overboard  and  swim  to  the 
other  vessels. 

When  the  day  dawned,  an  examination  was  made  into  the 
condition  of  the  Richard.  Abafl,  on  a  line  with  those  guns  of 
the  Serapis  that  had  not  been  disabled  by  the  explosion,  the 
timbers  were  found  to  be  nearly  all  beaten  in,  or  beaten  out, 
for  in  this  respect  there  was  little  difference  between  the  two 
sides  of  the  ship;  and  it  was  said  that  her  poop  and  upper 
decks  would  have  fallen  into  the  gun-room,  but  for  a  few  fut- 
9* 


-•^u.. 


102 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


11779. 


locks  that  had  been  missed.  Indeed,  so  large  was  the  vocuum, 
that  most  of  tho  shot  fired  from  this  part  of  the  Serapis,  ot  the 
close  of  the  action,  must  hnve  gone  through  the  Richard  with< 
out  touching  any  thing.  The  rudder  was  cut  from  the  stern* 
post,  and  the  transoms  were  nearly  driven  out  of  her.  All 
the  ailer  part  of  the  ship,  in  particular,  that  was  belcvv  the 
quarter-deck,  was  torn  to  pieces,  and  nothing  had  saved  those 
stationed  on  the  quarter-deck,  but  the  impossibility  of  suffi- 
ciently elevating  guns  that  almost  touched  their  object. 

The  result  of  this  examination  was  to  convince  every  ono 
of  the  impossibility  of  carrying  the  Richard  into  port,  m  tho 
event  of  its  coming  on  to  l)low.  Commodore  Jones  was  ad- 
vised to  remove  his  wounded  while  the  weather  continued  mo- 
derate, and  he  reluctantly  gave  tho  order  to  commence.  Tho 
following  night  and  the  morning  of  the  succeeding  day  were 
employed  in  executing  this  imperious  duty;  and  about  nine 
o'clock,  the  officer  of  the  Pallas,  who  was  in  charge  of  tho 
ship,  with  a  party  at  tho  pumps,  finding  that  tho  water  had 
reached  tho  lower  deck,  reluctantly  abandoned  her.  About 
ten,  the  Bon  Homme  Richard  wallowed  heavily,  gave  a  roll, 
and  settled  slowly  into  the  sea,  bows  foremost. 

The  Serapis  suffered  much  less  than  the  Richard,  the  guns 
of  the  latter  having  been  so  light,  and  so  soon  silenced ;  but 
no  sooner  were  the  ships  separated,  than  her  main-mast 
fell,  bringing  down  with  it  tho  mizzen-top-mast.  Though 
jury-masts  were  erected,  the  ship  drove  about,  nearly  helpless, 
in  the  North  Sea,  until  the  6th  of  October,  when  the  remains 
of  the  squadron,  with  tho  two  prizes,  got  into  the  Texel,  the 
port  to  which  they  had  been  ordered  to  repair. 

In  the  combat  between  the  Richard  and  the  Serapis,  an  unu- 
sual number  of  lives  was  lost,  though  no  regular  authentic 
report  appears  to  have  been  given  by  either  side.  Captain 
Pearson  states  the  loss  of  the  Richard  at  about  300  in  killed 
and  wounded ;  a  total  that  would  have  included  very  nearly 
all  hands,  and  which  was  certainly  a  great  exaggeration,  or  at 
least  a  great  mistake.  According  to  a  muster-roll  of  the  offi- 
cers and  people  of  the  Richard,  excluding  the  marines,  which 
is  still  in  existence,  42  men  were  killed,  or  died  of  their  wounds 
shortly  after  the  battle,  and  41  were  wounded.  This  would 
make  a  total  of  83,  for  this  portion  of  the  crew,  which  on  the 
roll  amounted  to  227  souls.  But  many  of  the  persons  named 
on  this  list  are  known  not  to  have  been  in  the  action  at  all ; 
such  as  neither  of  the  junior  lieutenants,  and  some  thirty  men 


1779.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


103 


unu- 


tliat  wcro  with  them,  besides  those  absent  in  prizes.  As  there 
were  a  few  volunteers  on  board,  however,  who  were  not  mus- 
tered, if  wo  set  down  200  as  the  number  of  the  portion  of  tho 
regular  crew  that  was  in  tho  action,  wo  shall  probably  not  bo 
far  from  the  truth.  By  estimating  tho  soldiers  that  remained 
on  iKjard  at  120,  and  observing  tho  same  proportion  for  their 
casualties,  we  shall  get  40  for  tho  result,  which  will  make  a 
total  of  i:32,  as  the  entire  loss  of  the  Richard.  It  is  known, 
however,  that,  in  the  commencement  of  the  action,  the  soldiers, 
or  marines,  sufTered  out  of  proportion  to  the  rest  of  tho  crew, 
and  general  report  having  made  the  gross  loss  of  tho  Richard 
150  men,  we  arc  disposed  to  believe  that  it  was  not  far  from 
the  fact. 

Captain  Pearson  reported  a  part  of  his  loss  at  117  men, 
admitting  at  the  same  time,  that  there  were  many  killed  and 
wounded  whoso  names  he  could  not  discover.  It  is  probablo 
that  the  loss  of  men,  in  the  two  ships,  was  about  equal,  and 
that  nearly  or  quite  half  of  all  those  who  were  engaged,  were 
either  killed  or  wounded.  Commodore  Jones,  in  a  private  let- 
ter, written  some  time  after  tho  occurrence,  gives  an  opinion, 
however,  thot  the  loss  of  the  Richard  was  less  than  that  of  the 
Serapis.  That  two  vessels  of  so  much  force  should  lie  lashed 
together  more  than  two  hours,  making  use  of  artillery,  mus- 
ketry, and  all  the  other  means  of  annoyance  known  to  the 
warfare  of  the  day,  and  not  do  even  greater  injury  to  the 
crews,  strikes  us  with  astonishment ;  buf  the  fact  must  be 
ascribed  to  the  peculiarities  of  the  combat,  which,  by  driving 
most  of  the  English  under  cover,  and  by  keeping  the  Ameri- 
cans above  the  line  of  fire,  protected  each  party  from  the  mis- 
siles of  the  other.  As  it  was,  it  proved  a  murderous  and 
sanguinary  conflict,  though  its  duration  would  probably  have 
been  much  short'>r,  and  its  character  still  more  bloody,  but  for 
these  unusual  circumstances. 


men 


104 


NAVAL    HISTORY, 


fl780. 


CHAPTER  X. 


The  arrival  of  Paul  Jones,  in  Holland,  excited  a  great  deal 
of  interest  in  the  diplomatic  world.  The  English  demanded 
that  the  prisoners  should  be  released,  and  that  Jones  himself 
should  be  given  up  as  a  pirate.  The  Dutch  government, 
though  well  disposed  to  favour  the  Americans,  was  not  pre- 
pared for  war,  and  it  was  induced  to  temporise.  A  long  cor- 
respondence followed,  which  terminated  in  one  of  those  politi- 
cal expedients  that  are  so  common,  and  in  which  the  pains 
and  penalties  of  avowing  the  truth  are  avoided  by  means  of 
a  mystification.  The  Serapis,  which  had  been  re-mastecl  and 
equipped,  was  transferred  to  France,  as  was  the  Scarborough, 
while  Commodore  Jones  took  command  of  the  Alliance,  Cap- 
tain Landais  having  been  suspended,  and  was  ordered  to  quit 
the  country. 

The  Alliance  went  to  sea  on  the  27th  of  December,  1779, 
and  reached  the  roads  of  Groix  again,  in  safety,  on  the  10th 
«f  February,  1780.  She  passed  down  the  Channel,  was  near 
enough  to  the  squadron  in  the  Downs  to  examine  its  force,  was 
several  times  chased,  and  made  a  short  cruise  in  the  Bay  of 
Biscay,  after  having  touched  in  Spain.  Captain  Conyngham, 
who  had  been  captured  in  a  privateer  and  escaped,  joined  the 
Alliance,  and  went  round  to  I  Orient  in  the  ship. 

Although  it  will  be  anticipating  the  events  of  another  year, 
we  shall  finish  the  history  of  this  vessel,  so  far  as  she  was 
connected  with  the  officer  who  first  commanded  her.  Captain 
Landais.  This  gentleman  had  been  sent  for  to  Paris,  to  ac- 
count for  his  conduct  to  the  American  minister,  and  subse- 
quently his  claim  to  command  the  Alliance  was  referred  to 
Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  who  was  on  the  spot,  and  who  had  long  been 
in  Europe,  as  a  conspicuous  agent  of  the  government.  The 
decision  of  this  commissioner  restored  the  Alliance  to  Captain 
Landais,  on  the  ground  that  his  command  having  been  given 
to  him  by  the  highest  authority  of  the  country,  a  vote  of  Con- 
gress,  he  could  not  legally  be  deprived  of  it  by  any  subordinate 
authority.  In  June,  Captain  Landais  sailed  in  the  ship  for 
America,  where  she  was  given  to  an  officer  better  fitted  to 
show  her  excellent  qualities,  and  who,  in  the  end,  succeeded  in 


fl780. 


1780.] 


NAVAL     H  I  S  T  O  R  i 


105 


redeeming  her  character.  During  the  passage  home,  Captain 
Landais  was  deposed  from  the  command,  under  the  idea  that 
he  was  'ijane,  and  soon  after  he  was  discharged  from  the 
navy.  It  is  thought  that  the  absence  of  Commodore  Jones, 
alone,  prevented  his  receiving  severer  punishment. 

Commodore  Jones,  anxious  to  get  back  to  America,  took 
command  of  the  Ariel  20,  a  little  ship  that  the  king  of  France 
lent  to  his  allies,  to  aid  in  transporting  military  stores ;  and 
in  this  vessel,  with  a  portion  of  the  officers  and  men  who  had 
belonged  to  the  Richard,  he  sailed  from  under  Groix  on  the 
7th  of  September.  When  a  day  or  two  out,  the  Ariel  encoun- 
tered a  severe  gale,  in  which  she  came  near  being  lost.  The 
'?hip  was  so  pressed  upon  by  the  wind,  that  her  lower  yard- 
arms  frequently  dipped,  and  though  an  anchor  was  let  go,  she 
refused  to  tend  to  it.  In  order  to  keep  her  from  foundering, 
the  fore-mast  was  cut  away,  and  the  heel  of  the  main-mast 
having  worked  out  of  the  step,  that  spar  followed,  bringing 
down  with  it  the  mizzen-mast. 

Returning  to  I'Orient  to  refit,  the  Ariel  sailed  a  second  time 
for  America,  on  the  18th  of  December.  During  the  passage, 
she  fell  in  with  an  enemy  of  about  her  own  size,  in  the  night, 
and  after  much  conversation,  a  short  combat  followed,  when 
the  English  ship  intimated  that  she  had  struck,  but  taking  ad- 
vantage of  her  position,  she  made  sail  and  escaped.  Some 
unaccountable  mistake  was  made  by,  or  an  extraordinary  hal- 
lucination appears  to  have  come  over  Commodore  Jones,  in 
reference  to  this  affair ;  for,  in  his  journal,  he  speaks  of  his 
enemy  as  having  been  an  English  twenty-gun  ship  called  the 
Triumph,  and  the  result  as  a  victory.  The  Triumph,  if  such 
was  truly  the  name  of  the  English  ship,  was  probably  a  letter 
of  marque,  unable  to  resist  a  vessel  of  war  of  any  force,  and 
though  not  free  from  the  imputation  of  treachery,  she  escaped 
by  out-manoeuvring  the  Ariel.  On  the  18th  of  February, 
1781,  after  an  absence  of  more  than  three  years,  Paul  Jones 
reached  Philadelphia  in  safety. 

Before  we  return  to  the  American  seas,  and  to  the  more 
regular  incidents  of  the  year  1779,  we  will  add  that,  after  an 
inquiry  into  the  conduct  of  Captain  Jones,  as  it  was  connected 
with  all  his  proceedings  in  Europe,  Congress  gave  him  a  vote 
of  thanks,  and,  by  a  formal  resolution,  bestowed  on  him  the 
command  of  the  America  74,  the  only  one  of  the  six  ships  of 
that  class  that  was  ever  laid  down  under  the  law  of  1776. 
The  America  never  got  to  sea  under  the  national  colours.  Con- 


106 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1779. 


gress  presenting  the  ship  to  their  ally,  Louis  XVI.,  to  replace 
the  Magnitique  74,  which  had  been  lost  in  the  port  of  Boston. 

To  return  to  the  more  regular  order  of  events. 

During  the  summer  of  1779,  the  Deane  32,  Captain  Samuel 
Nicholson,  and  the  Boston  24,  Captain  Tucker,  made  a  cruise 
in  company.  In  August  of  that  year,  these  two  ships  took 
many  prizes,  though  no  action  of  moment  occurred.  Among 
others  were  the  Sandwich  ^a  packet,)  10,  two  privateers,  with 
the  Glencairn  20,  and  the  Thorn  18,  The  last  of  these  ves- 
sels was  a  man-of-war. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  the  Providence  12,  Captain 
Hacker,  took  a  vessel  of  equal  force,  called  the  Diligent,  after 
a  sharp  action.  The  particulars  of  this  engagement  are  lost, 
though  they  are  known  to  have  been  highly  creditable  to  the- 
American  officer.  The  Diligent  appears  to  have  been  taken 
into  the  service. 

A  bloody  action  also  occurred,  about  the  same  time,  between 
the  Massachusetts  state-cruiser  Hazard  14,  Captain  John  Foster 
Williams,  and  the  Active  14,  a  vessel  that  Schomberg  states  to 
have  belonged  to  the  king.  The  combat  lasted  half  an  hour, 
and  was  determined  in  favour  of  the  Hazard.  The  Active  is  said 
to  have  had  33  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  Hazard  8.  Shortly 
after  this  handsome  affair.  Captain  Williams  was  appointed  to 
the  ship  Protector  20,  belonging  to  the  same  state,  and  in  June 
he  had  a  severe  action  with  one  of  those  heavy  letters  of 
marque  it  was  so  much  the  custom  to  send  to  sea,  at  the  period 
of  which  we  are  writing,  called  the  Duff*;  a  ship  said  to  have 
been  quite  equal  i©  force  to  the  Protector.  After  a  sharp  con- 
test of  more  than  an  hour,  the  Duff"  blew  up.  The  Protector 
succeeded  in  saving  55  of  her  crew,  having  had  6  of  her  own 
people  killed  and  wounded  in  the  battle. 

The  enemy  having  established  a  post  on  the  Penobscot,  and 
placed  in  it  a  strong  garrison,  the  Stale  of  Massachusetts  de- 
termined to  drive  thorn  from  its  territory,  without  calling  upon 
Congress  for  assistance.  For  this  purpose,  Massachusetts 
made  a  Uraft  of  1500  of  her  own  militia,  and  got  an  order  for 
the  U.S.  ship  Warren  32,  Captain  Saltonstall,  the  Diligent  14, 
Captain  Brown,  and  the  Providence  12,  Captain  Hacker,  to 
join  the  expedition ;  these  being  the  only  regular  cruisers  em- 
ployed on  the  occasion.  Three  vessels  belonging  to  Massa- 
chusetts were  also  put  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Saltonstall, 
and  a  force  consisting  of  thirteen  privateers  was  added.     In 


177U.J 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


em- 


107 

Gen- 


addition  there  were  many  transports  and  store-vessels, 
eral  Lovel  commanded  the  brigade. 

This  armament  made  its  appearance  off  the  Penobscot  on 
the  25th  of  July.  While  the  miljtia  were  making  their  descent, 
the  Warren,  and  another  vessel  of  some  force,  engaged  the 
enemy's  v/orks.  The  cannonading  was  severe,  and  the  War- 
ren is  said  to  have  had  30  men  killed  and  wounded,  in  the 
action  with  the  batteries,  and  in  landing  the  troops.  The  latter 
duty,  however,  was  successfully  performed  by  General  Lovel, 
with  a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  men,  including  all  arms. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  carry  the  place  with  his  present  force, 
the  commanding  officer  now  sent  for  reinforcements.  On  the 
1 3th  of  August,  while  waiting  for  a  return  of  the  messenger, 
information  was  received  from  the  Tyrannicide,  the  look-out 
vessel,  that  Sir  George  Collier,  in  the  Rainbow  44,  accom- 
panied by  four  other  vessels  of  war,  was  entering  the  bay. 
The  troops  immediately  re-embarked,  and  a  general,  hurried, 
and  confused  flight  ensued.  The  British  squadron,  consisting 
of  five  vessels  of  war,  quickly  appeared,  and  a  pursuit  up  the 
river  was  commenced,  and  continued  for  a  long  distance.  The 
enemy  soon  got  near  enough  to  use  their  chase  guns,  and  the 
fire  was  returned  by  the  Americans.  It  was  undoubtedly  the 
wish  of  Captain  Saltonstall,  to  reach  the  shallow  waters  before 
he  was  overtaken ;  but  finding  this  impracticable,  he  ran  his 
ship  ashore,  and  set  her  on  fire.  Others  followed  this  example, 
and  most  of  the  vessels  were  destroyed,  though  three  or  four 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Captain  Saltonstall  was  much,  and,  in  some  respects,  per- 
haps, justly  censured,  for  this  disaster,  though  it  is  to  be  feared 
that  it  arose  more  from  that  habit  of  publicity,  which  is  com- 
mon to  all  countries  much  influenced  by  popular  feeling,  than 
from  any  other  cause.  Had  a  due  regard  been  paid  to  secresy, 
time  might  have  been  gained  in  that  remote  region,  to  effect 
the  object,  before  a  sufficient  force  could  be  collected  to  go 
against  the  assailants.  In  a  military  sense,  the  principal  faults 
appear  to  have  been  a  miscalculation  of  means,  at  the  com- 
mencement, and  a  neglect  to  raise  such  batteries  as  might  have 
protected  the  shipping  against  the  heavy  vessels  of  the  enemy. 
It  could  not  surely  have  been  thought  that  privateers,  armed 
with  light  guns,  were  able  to  resist  two-deckers  ;  and  the  fact 
that  the  English  had  a  fleet  of  such  vessels  on  the  coast  was 
generally  known. 

The  disastrous  result  of  this  expedition  inflicted  a  severe  blow 


'Sjad^ 


108 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[17B0. 


on  American  nautical  enterprises.  Many  privateers  and  state 
vessels,  that  had  been  successful  against  the  enemy's  com- 
merce, were  either  captured  or  destroyed.  Among  the  vessels 
blown  up,  was  the  Providence  12,  one  of  the  first  cruisers  ever 
sent  to  sea  by  the  United  States,  and  which  had  become  noted 
for  exploits  greatly  exceeding  what  might  have  been  expected 
from  her  force. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


At  the  commencement  of  the  year  1780,  the  French  fleet 
under  Comte  d'Estaing  retired  to  the  West-Indies,  leaving  the 
entire  American  coast  at  the  command  of  the  British.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  profited  by  the  opportunity  to  sail  against 
Charleston,  with  a  strong  force  in  ships  and  troops,  which 
town  he  reduced  after  a  short  but  vigorous  siege.  Several 
American  ships  of  war  were  in  the  harbour  at  the  time,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Whipple,  and  finding  escape  impos- 
sible, this  officer  carried  his  squadron  into  the  Cooper,  sunk 
several  vessels  at  its  mouth,  and  landed  all  the  guns  and  crews 
for  the  defence  of  the  town,  with  the  exception  of  those  of  one 
ship.  The  Providence  28,  Captain  Whipple,  the  Queen  of 
France  28,  Captain  Rathburne,  the  Boston  24,  Captain  Tuck- 
er, the  Ranger  18,  Captain  Simpson,  and  several  smaller  ves- 
sels, fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  English  government,  by  this  time,  found  the  system  of 
privateering  so  destructive  to  their  navigation,  that  it  had  come 
to  the  determination  of  refusing  to  exchange  any  more  of  the 
seamen  that  fell  into  their  power.  By  acting  on  this  policy, 
they  collected  a  large  body  of  prisoners,  sending  them  to  Eng- 
land in  their  return-ships,  and  sensibly  affected  the  nautical 
enterprises  of  the  Americans,  who,  of  course,  had  but  a  limit- 
ed number  of  officers  and  men  fit  to  act  on  the  ocean. 

By  the  fall  of  Charleston,  too,  the  force  of  the  regular  Ame- 
rican marine,  small  as  it  had  always  been,  was  still  more  re- 
duced. Of  the  frigates,  the  Alliance  32,  the  Hague  (late 
Deane)  32,  Confederacy  32,  Trumbull  28,  and  a  ship  or  two 
bought  or  borrowed  in  Europe,  appear  to  be  all  that  were  left, 


1780.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


109 


while  the  smaller  cruisers,  like  the  pitcher  that  is  broken  by 
going  too  often  to  the  well,  had  not  fared  much  better. 

In  consequence  of  all  these  losses,  the  advanced  state  of  the 
war,  and  the  French  alliance,  which  had  brought'  the  fleets  of 
France  upon  the  American  coast,  Congress  appears  to  have 
thought  any  great  efforts  for  increasing  the  marine  unneces- 
-sary  at  the  moment.  The  privateers  and  state  cruisers  were 
out  and  active  as  usual,  though  much  reduced  in  numbers,  and 
consequently  in  general  efficiency.  In  contrast  to  these  di- 
minished efforts  we  find  the  British  Parliament  authorizing  the 
ministry  to  keep  no  less  than  85,000  men  employed  in  the 
English  navy,  including  the  marines. 

The  first  action  of  moment  that  occured  this  year  between 
any  United  States'  vessel  and  the  enemy,  nevertheless,  has 
the  reputation  of  having  been  one  of  the  most  hotly  and  obsti- 
nately contested  combats  of  the  war.  June  2d,  1780,  the 
Trumbull  28,  then  under  the  command  of  Captain  James  Ni- 
cholson, the  senior  officer  of  the  navy,  while  cruising  in  lat* 
35°  54',  long.  66°  W.,  made  a  strange  sail  to  windward  from 
the  mast-heads.  The  Trumbull  immediately  furled  all  her 
canvass,  in  the  hope  of  drawing  the  stranger  down  upon  her 
before  she  should  be  seen.  At  eleven,  the  stranger  was  made 
out  to  be  a  large  ship,  steering  for  the  Trumbull's  quarter  j 
but  soon  hauling  more  astern,  sail  was  got  on  the  American 
ship  to  close.  After  some  manoeuvring,  in  order  to  try  the 
rate  of  sailing  and  to  get  a  view  of  the  stranger's  broadside* 
the  Trumbull  took  in  her  light  sails,  hauled  up  her  courses, 
the  chase  all  this  time  betraying  no  desire  to  avoid  an  action^ 
but  standmg  directly  for  her  adversary.  When  near  enough) 
the  Trumbull  filled,  and  outsailing  the  stranger,  she  easily 
fetched  to  windward  of  her.  The  chase  now  fired  three  guns, 
showed  English  colours,  and  edged  away,  under  short  sail) 
evidently  with  an  intention  to  p\jrsue  her  course.  Captain  Ni- 
cholson harangued  his  men,  and  then  made  sail  to  bring  his 
ship  up  with  the  enemy.  When  about  a  hundred  yards  dis- 
tant, the  English  ship  fired  a  broadside,  and  the  action  began 
in  good  earnest.  For  two  hours  and  a  half  the  vessels  lay 
nearly  abeam  of  each  other,  giving  and  receiving  broadsides 
without  intermission.  At  no  time  were  they  half  a  cable's 
length  asunder,  and  more  than  once  the  yards  nearly  inter- 
locked. Twice  was  the  Trumbull  set  on  fire  by  the  wads  of 
her  opponent,  and  once  the  enemy  suffered  in  the  same  way. 
10 


110 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1780. 


At  last  the  fire  of  the  Englishman  slackened  sensibly,  until  it 
nearly  ceased. 

Captain  Nicholson  now  felt  satisfied  that  he  should  make  a 
prije  of  his  antagonist,  and  was  encouraging  his  people  with 
that  hope,  when  a  report  was  brought  to  him,  that  the  main- 
mast was  tottering,  and  that  if  it  went  while  near  the  enemy, 
his  ship  would  probably  be  the  sacrifice.  Anxious  to  secure 
the  spar,  sail  was  made,  and  the  Trumbull  shot  ahead  again, 
her  superiority  of  sailing  being  very  decided.  She  was  soon 
clear  of  her  adversary,  who  made  no  effort  to  molest  her. 
The  vessels,  however,  were  scarcely  musket-shot  apart,  when 
the  main  and  mizzen  top-masts  of  the  Trumbull  went  over  the 
side,  and,  in  spite  of  every  effort  to  secure  them,  spar  afler 
spar  came  down,  until  nothing  was  left  but  the  fore-mast. 
Under  such  circumstances,  the  enemy,  who  manifested  no 
desire  to  profit  by  her  advantage,  went  off  on  her  proper 
course.  Before  she  was  out  of  sight,  her  main  top-mast  also 
was  seen  to  fall. 

It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  ship  engaged  by  the 
Trumbull  was  a  letter  of  marque  called  the  Watt,  Captain 
Coulthard,  a  vessel  of  size,  that  had  been  expressly  equipped 
to  fight  her  way.  Her  force  is  not  mentioned  in  the  English 
accounts,  but  her  commander,  in  his  narrative  of  the  affair, 
in  which  he  claims  the  victory,  admits  his  loss  to  have  been 
92  men,  in  killed  and  wounded.  Captain  Nicholson  estimates 
her  force  at  34  or  36  guns,  mostly  twelve-pounders ;  and  he 
states  that  of  the  Trumbull  to  have  been  24  twelve-pounders 
and  6  sixes,  with  199  souls  on  board  when  the  action  com- 
menced. The  Trumbull  lost  39,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
among  the  former  of  whom  were  two  of  her  lieutenants. 

In  the  way  of  a  regular  cannonade,  this  combat  is  generally 
thought  to  have  been  the  severest  that  was  fought  in  the  war 
of  the  Revolution.  There  is  no  question  of  the  superiority  of 
the  Watt  in  every  thing  but  sailing,  she  having  been  essen- 
tially the  largest  and  strongest  ship,  besides  carrying  more 
guns  and  men  than  her  opponent.  Owing  to  the  difficulty  of 
obtaining  seamen,  which  has  been  so  often  mentioned,  the 
Trumbull's  crew  was  composed,  in  a  great  degree,  of  raw 
hands,  and  Captain  Nicholson  states  particularly  that  many 
of  his  people  were  suffering  under  sea-sickness  when  they 
went  to  their  guns. 

This  action  was  not  followed  by  another,  of  any  importance, 
in  which  a  government  cruiser  was  concerned,  until  the  month 


1781.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


111 


of  October,  when  the  U.  S.  sloop  of  war  Saratoga  16,  Captain 
Young,  fell  in  with,  and  captured  a  ship  and  two  brigs,  the 
fornier,  and  one  of  the  latter  of  which,  were  well  armed.  The 
conflict  with  the  ship,  which  was  called  the  Charming  Molly, 
was  conducted  with  a  spirit  and  promptitude  that  are  deserv- 
ing of  notice.  Running  alongside.  Captain  Young  delivered 
his  fire,  and  threw  fifty  men  on  the  enemy's  decks,  when  a 
fierce  but  short  struggle  ensued,  that  ended  in  the  capture  of 
the  British  ship.  Lieutenant  Joshua  Barney,  afterwards  so 
distinguished  in  the  service,  led  the  boarders  on  this  occasion  ; 
and  the  crew  that  he  overcame  is  said  to  have  been  nearly 
double  in  numbers  to  his  own  party. 

After  making  these  and  one  other  capture,  the  Saratoga 
made  sail  for  the  Capes  of  the  Delaware,  with  the  intention  of 
convoying  her  prizes  into  port.  The  following  day,  however, 
the  convoy  was  chased  by  the  Intrepid  74,  Captain  Molloy, 
which  ship  retook  all  the  prizes,  but  was  u;iable  to  get  the 
Saratoga  under  her  guns.  It  is  said,  and  we  find  no  evidence 
to  contradict  it,  that  the  Saratoga  never  returned  to  port,  the 
vessel  foundering,  and  her  crew  perishing  at  sea,  unheard  of. 

The  brevity  of  the  regular  naval  annals  of  the  three  last 
years  of  the  war,  compels  us  to  compress  their  incidents  into 
a  single  chapter. 

It  has  been  stated  already  that  Captain  Landais  was  dis- 
missed from  the  service  soon  after  his  return  home,  when  the 
command  of  the  Alliance  32  was  given  to  Captain  John  Barry, 
the  officer  who  had  made  so  gallant  a  resistance  in  the  Ra- 
leigh,  not  long  previously.  In  February,  1781,  Captain  Barry 
sailed  from  Boston  for  France,  in  command  of  this  favourite 
ship,  with  Colonel  Laurens  on  board,  which  well-known  and 
much-regretted  young  oflftcer  was  charged  with  an  important 
mission  to  the  French  court.  On  the  outward  passage,  the 
Alliance  captured  a  small  privateer  called  the  Alert,  but  no 
event  of  any  moment  occurred.  After  landing  Mr.  Laurens, 
the  frigate  sailed  from  I'Orient  on  a  cruise,  with  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette  40,  bound  to  America  with  stores,  in  company. 
Three  days  afterwards,  or  on  the  2d  of  April,  1781,  they  fell 
in  with  and  captured  two  Guernsey  privateers,  one  of  which, 
the  Mars,  is  said  to  have  been  a  heavy  vessel  of  26  guns  and 
112  men,  and  the  other,  the  Minerva,  to  have  had  an  arma- 
ment of  10  guns,  and  a  crew  of  55  souls.  Neither  of  these 
cruisers  appears  to  have  made  any  resistance. 

After  this  success,  the  Alliance  parted  company  with  her 


112 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1781. 


consort  and  the  prizes,  and  continued  to  cruise  until  the  28th 
of  Moy,  when  she  made  two  sail,  that  were  standing  directly 
for  her.  It  was  late  in  the  day,  and  the  strangers,  when  near 
enough  to  remain  in  sight  during  the  darkness  hauled  up  on 
the  same  course  with  the  Alliance,  evidently  with  a  view  to 
defer  the  action  until  morning.  At  daylight  on  the  succeed- 
ing day,  it  was  nearly  a  dead  calm,  and  when  the  mist  cleared 
away,  the  two  strangers  were  seen  at  no  great  distance,  with 
English  colours  flying.  They  were  now  distinctly  made  out 
to  be  a  sloop  of  war  apparently  of  16  guns,  and  a  brig  of  14. 
The  sea  was  perfectly  smooth,  and  there  being  no  wind,  the 
two  light  cruisers  were  enabled  to  sweep  up,  and  to  select  their 
positions,  while  the  Alliance  lay  almost  a  log  on  the  water, 
without  steerage  way.  Owing  to  these  circumstances,  it  was 
noon  before  the  vessels  were  near  enough  to  hail,  when  the 
action  commenced.  For  more  than  an  hour  the  Alliance 
fought  to  great  disadvantage,  the  enemy  having  got  on  her 
quarters,  where  only  a  few  of  the  aftermost  guns  would  bear 
on  them.  The  advantage  pocsesscd  by  the  English  vessels, 
in  consequence  of  the  calm,  at  one  time,  indeed,  gave  iheir 
people  the  greatest  hopes  of  success,  for  they  had  the  fight 
principally  to  themselves.  While  things  were  in  this  unfortu- 
nate state,  Captain  Barry  received  a  grape-shot  through  his 
shoulder,  and  was  carried  below.  This  additional  and  dis- 
heartening calamity  added  to  the  disadvantages  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, who  were  suifering  under  the  close  fire  of  two  spirited 
and  persevering  antagonists.  Indeed,  so  confident  of  success 
did  the  enemy  now  appear  to  be,  that  when  the  ensign  of  the 
Alliance  was  shot  away,  this  fact,  coupled  with  the  necessary 
slackness  of  her  fire,  induced  their  people  to  quit  their  guns, 
and  give  three  cheers  for  victory.  This  occurred  at  a  moment 
when  a  light  breeze  struck  the  Alliance's  sails,  and  she  came 
fairly  under  steerage  way.  A  single  broadside  from  a  man- 
ageable ship  changed  the  entire  state  of  the  combat,  and  sent 
the  enemy  to  their  guns,  again,  with  a  conviction  that  their 
work  yet  remained  to  be  done.  After  a  manly  resistance, 
both  the  English  vessels,  in  the  end,  were  compelled  to  haul 
down  their  colours. 

The  prizes  proved  to  be  the  Atalanta  16,  Captain  Edwards, 
with  a  crew  of  130  men,  and  the  Trepassy  14,  Captain  Smith, 
with  a  crew  of  80  men.  Both  vessels  were  much  cut  up,  and 
they  sustained  a  joint  loss  of  41  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 
The  Alliance  did  not  escape  with  impunity,  having  had  11 


1781.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


113 


killed  and  21  wounded,  principally  by  the  fire  of  her  enemies, 
while  they  lay  on  her  quarter  and  across  her  stern.  Captain 
Barry  made  a  cartel  of  the  Trepassy,  and  sent  her  into  an 
English  port  with  the  prisoners ;  but  the  Atalanta  was  retaken 
by  the  enemy's  squadron  that  was  cruising  off  Boston,  while 
attempting  to  epter  that  harbour. 

Fortune  now  became  capricious,  and  we  are  compelled  to 
present  the  other  side  of  the  picture.  Among  the  ships  built 
late  in  the  war,  was  the  Confederacy  32.  This  vessel  had 
been  launched  in  1778,  at  or  near  Norwich,  in  Connecticut ; 
and  the  command  of  her  was  given  to  Captain  Seth  Harding, 
the  officer  who  was  in  the  Defence  14,  in  the  action  in  Nan- 
tasket  Roads  with  the  two  transports  captured  in  1776.  Cap- 
tain Harding  had  been  commissioned  in  the  navy,  in  which 
his  first  command  appears  to  have  been  this  ship.  The  Con- 
federacy sailed  for  Europe  in  1779,  with  Mr.  Jay,  the  min- 
ister to  Spain,  on  board,  and  was  suddenly  dismasted,  a  little 
to  the  eastward  of  Bermuda.  Spar  followed  spar,  in  this  ca- 
lamity, until  the  ship  lay  a  log  on  the  water,  with  even  her 
bowsprit  gone.  This,  like  so  many  similar  misfortunes  that 
have  succecf^ed  it,  must  probably  be  attributed  to  the  rigging's 
having  slackened,  when  the  ship  got  into  a  warm  latitude,  after 
having  been  set  up  in  cold  weather  at  home. 

After  several  anxious  weeks,  the  Confederacy  got  into  Mar. 
tinique,  where  Mr.  Jay  obtained  a  passage  in  the  French  fri- 
gate I'Auroro,  and  the  American  vessel  remained  to  refit. 
From  that  time  to  the  commencement  of  the  present  year,  the 
Confederacy  was  employed,  like  most  of  the  large  vessels  of 
the  service  in  that  stage  of  the  war,  in  keeping  open  the  com- 
munications between  the  country  and  the  different  ports  where 
supplies  were  obtained,  and  in  transporting  stores.  Early  in 
1781,  she  went  to  Cape  Fran(jois,  and,  on  the  22d  of  June, 
while  on  her  return,  with  clothing  and  other  supplies  on  board, 
and  with  a  convoy  in  charge,  she  was  chased  by  a  large  ship, 
which  succeeded  in  getting  alongside  of  her.  Captain  Hard- 
ing had  gone  to  quarters,  and  was  about  to  open  his  fire,  when 
the  enemy  ran  out  a  lower  tier  of  guns,  and  a  frigate  being  in 
company  a  short  distance  astern,  the  American  struck.  Seve- 
ral of  the  convoy  were  also  taken. 

Captain  Nicholson  continued  in  command  of  the  Trumbull, 

after  his  severe  conflict  with  the  Watt,  and  we  find  him  at  sea 

again  in  that  ship,  in  the  summer  of  1781.     She  left  the  Dela-. 

ware  on  the  8th  of  August,  with  a  crew  short  of  200  men,  or 

10* 


0,f^^ 


114 


NAVAL     HI  STORY. 


[1761. 


which  near  50  wcro  of  the  questionable  materials  to  bo  found 
among  the  prisoners  of  war.  She  had  a  convoy  of  twenty. 
ei{^ht  sail,  ond  a  heavy  privateer  was  in  company.  Off  the 
Capes,  the  Trumbull  made  three  British  cruisers  astern.  Two 
of  the  enemy,  one  of  which  was  a  frigate,  stood  for  the  Trum- 
bull, which  ship,  by  hauling  up,  was  enabled  to  gain  the  wind 
of  them.  Night  was  near,  and  it  blew  heavily.  The  mer- 
chantmen began  to  diverge  from  the  course,  though,  by  carry- 
ing easy  sail,  the  Trumbull  was  enabled  to  keep  most  of  them 
ahead,  and  in  their  stations.  While  standing  on  in  this  man- 
ner, hoping  every  thing  from  the  darkness,  a  squall  carried 
oway  the  Trumbull's  fore-top-mast,  which  in  falling  brought 
down  with  it  the  main-top-gallant-must.  As  the  weather  was 
thick  and  squally,  the  vessels  in  company  of  the  Trumbull  took 
advantage  of  the  obscurity  and  scattered,  each  making  the  best 
of  her  way  according  to  her  particular  rate  of  sailing.  The 
Trumbull  herself  was  compelled  to  bear  up,  in  order  to  carry 
the  canvass  necessary  to  escape ;  but  with  the  wreck  over  her 
bows,  and  a  crew  that  was  not  only  deficient  in  numbers,  but 
which  was  raw,  and  in  part  disaffected,  her  situation  became 
in  the  last  degree  embarrassing.  Indeed,  her  condition  has 
been  described  as  being  so  peculiarly  distressing,  as  to  form  a 
strong  instance  of  the  difficulties  that  sometimes  accompany 
naval  warfare. 

About  ten  o'clock  at  night,  the  British  frigate  Iris  32,  one  of 
the  vessels  in  chase,  closed  with  the  Trumbull,  which  ship,  on 
account  of  the  heaviness  of  the  weather,  had  not  yet  been  able 
to  clear  the  wreck.  In  the  midst  of  rain  and  squalls,  in  a  tem- 
pestuous night,  with  most  of  the  forward  hamper  of  the  ship 
over  her  bows,  or  lying  on  the  forecastle,  with  one  of  the  arms 
of  the  forc-topsail-yard  run  through  her  fore-sail,  and  the  other 
jammed  on  deck,  and  with  a  disorganised  crew.  Captain  Nich- 
olson found  himself  compelled  to  go  to  quarters,  or  to  strike 
without  resistance.  He  preferred  the  first ;  but  the  English 
volunteers,  instead  of  obeying  the  order,  went  below,  extin- 
guished  the  lights,  and  secreted  themselves.  Near  half  of  the 
remainder  of  the  people  imitated  this  example,  and  Captain 
Nicholson  could  not  muster  fifty  of  even  the  diminished  crew 
he  had,  at  the  guns.  The  battle  that  followed,  might  almost 
be  said  to  have  been  fought  by  the  officers.  These  brave  men, 
sustained  by  a  party  of  the  petty  officers  and  seamen,  managed 
a  few  of  the  guns  for  more  than  an  hour,  when  the  General 


1781.J 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


115 


Monk  16,  coming  up  and  joining  in  the  fire  of  tlte  Iriii,  the 
Trumbull  submitted. 

In  this  singular  combat,  it  has  oven  been  asserted  that  at  no 
time  were  forty  of  the  Trumbull's  i)cople  ot  quarters.  It  was 
probably  owing  to  this  circumstance,  that  hor  loss  was  so 
small,  for  the  ship  herself  is  said  to  have  been  extensively  cut 
up.  She  had  five  men  killed  and  eleven  wounded.  Among 
the  latter  were  two  of  the  lieutenants,  and  Mr.  Alexander  Mur- 
ray, a  gentleman  of  Maryland,  who  had  been  educated  to  the 
seas,  and  had  been  in  the  action  with  the  Watt,  but  who  was 
now  serving  as  a  volunteer,  and  who,  aller  commanding  seve- 
ral private  cruisers,  entered  the  navy,  and  subsequently  died  at 
the  head  of  the  service  in  1821.  Mr.  Murray  was  particularly 
distinguished  in  this  affair,  and  the  conduct  of  Captain  Nichol- 
son met  with  much  applause.  The  Iris  suffered  more  thrn 
could  have  been  expected  under  such  circumstances,  and  re- 
ported seven  men  killed  and  wounded. 

As  affording  some  relief  to  the  loss  of  the  Trumbull,  we  now 
come  to  a  handsome  exploit  that  occurred  soon  after,  which 
ought,  perhaps,  properly,  to  take  its  place  among  the  deeds  of 
the  private  cruisers,  but  which  is  of  sufficient  importance  to  bo 
mentioned  here,  and  this  so  much  the  more,  as  a  portion  of 
those  engaged  belonged  to  the  regular  service  of  the  country. 
A  private  cruiser  called  the  Congress  had  been  fitted  out  in 
Philadelphia,  in  the  course  of  the  summer,  and  in  September 
she  was  cruising  on  the  coast  of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia. 
The  Congress  had  an  armament  of  20  guns,  according  to  the 
American  accounts,  and  of  24  according  to  the  English,  and 
she  was  commanded  by  Captain  Geddes.  Few  of  her  people 
were  seamen,  of  which  there  was  now  a  great  scarcity  in  the 
country,  but  her  complement  was,  in  a  great  degree,  made  up 
of  landsmen. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  September,  cruising  to  the 
eastward  of  Charleston,  the  Congress  made  a  sail,  to  which 
she  gave  chase.  The  stranger  was  soon  discovered  to  be  a 
cruiser,  and  at  first  showed  a  disposition  to  engage,  but  after 
some  manceuvring  he  stood  off.  At  half-past  ten  the  Congress 
began  to  fire  her  bow  guns,  and  at  eleven  being  close  up  on  the 
enemy's  quarter,  she  opened  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  which 
did  a  good  deal  of  execution.  Drawing  ahead,  the  Congress 
now  delivered  her  broadside,  and  it  was  returned  with  spirit. 
At  first  the  enemy  got  a  cross-fire  upon  the  Congress,  and  the 
latter  ship  meeting  with  an  accident,  fell  astern  to  refit.     But 


116 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[n&i. 


soon  closing  agnin,  tlio  combat  was  renewed  with  frosh  vigour, 
and  th(!  Congress  having  got  lier  enemy  fairly  under  her  guns, 
in  less  than  un  hour  she  led  her  a  nearly  unmanageable  wreck 
on  the  water.  Notwithstanding  his  condition,  the  Englishman 
showed  no  disposition  to  submit,  and  the  Congress  ran  so  closo 
nlongsidi',  that  the  men  were  soid  to  bo  reciprocally  burned  by 
the  discharges  of  the  guns.  The  quarter-deck  nnd  forecastle 
of  the  enemy  had  scarcely  a  man  lell  on  it,  and  his  tire  began 
to  slacken  in  consequence  of  several  of  his  guns  having  been 
dismounted.  In  this  stage  of  the  engagement,  shot  were  even 
thrown  by  hand  and  did  execution.  At  length  the  mizzen- 
mast  of  the  English  ship  fell,  and  the  main-mast  threatening  to 
follow  it,  her  boatswain  apjKjared  on  the  forecastle,  with  his 
hat  in  his  hand,  and  called  out  that  his  commander  had  struck. 
The  prize  proved  to  be  the  British  sloop  of  war  Savage  16, 
Captain  Sterling. 

We  have  now  reached  the  year  1782,  which  was  virtually 
the  last  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  though  some  events  will 
remain  to  be  recorded  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1783.  In 
the  commcncent  of  this  year,  the  Deane  32,  made  a  successful 
cruise,  in  which  she  took  several  private  armed  vessels  of  the 
enemy.  On  this  occasion,  tho  Deano  was  commanded  by 
Captain  Samuel  Nicholson. 

Tho  favourite  ship,  the  Alliam  o  32,  Captain  Barry,  was 
much  employed  this  year,  her  .superior  sailing  making  her  a 
vessel  in  constant  demand.  /Vmong  other  services  that  she 
performed,  tliis  ship  was  sent  to  Havana  for  specie,  whence 
she  sailed,  in  company  with  the  Luzerne,  a  ship  loaded  with 
supplies.  Shortly  after  quitting  port,  some  enemy's  vessels 
fell  in  with  them,  and  gave  chase.  While  running  from  this 
force,  a  large  sail  was  seen  on  the  Alliance's  weather  bow, 
V '  ich  was  soon  made  out  to  be  a  French  50,  on  two  decks. 
Exchanging  signals,  and  supposing  that  the  French  frigate 
would  sustain  him.  Captain  Barry  immediately  wore  round 
nnd  brought  the  leading  vessel  of  tho  enemy  to  actioj  ;  thn 
others  mnnoeuvring  in  a  way  to  e/ij^age  the  attention  of  ih' 
^fty.  The  latter,  however,  kept  her  wind;  and  after  ;  i  i  p 
fight  of  more  than  half  an  hour,  the  English  ship  engaged 
with  the  Alliance,  finding  herself  hord  pushed,  made  signals 
to  h'^T  consorts  to  join,  when  Captain  Barry  hauled  ofl^.  The 
Alliance  no>"  otood  for  the  French  ship,  and  speaking  her,  it 
was  dettrinired  to  bring  the  enemy  to  action  again,  in  com- 
pany.    On  ritkir';  sail  in  chase,  however,  it  was  soon  found 


'  irvr^rry^r^:'^  ". 


1782.] 


NAVAL    'II8TOII  f. 


117 


that  tlio  fifty  was  too  dn  '  a  sailer  to  give  iho  least  ho[)e  of 
overtaking  tho  enemy,  und  tli<!  nttempf  wns  »»(  'indoned. 

In  this  action,  the  Alliance  had  3  killed  and  I '  wounded ; 
while  \t  is  said  that  the  loss  of  tho  enemy  was  vc;  y  heavy. 
Some  statements  place  the  hitter  as  high  87  men  :  hut  no 
accounts  can  bo  discovered,  that  give  a  vei  clonr  \\  story  of 
this  affair.  Even  tho  name  of  tho  ICngliah  si  ')  apjicu  s  to  hn 
lost.  One  of  tho  enemy,  by  some  of  the  accoi  -i,  was  said  to 
'  e  a  ship  of  the  line,  and  tho  vessel  engaged  by  tho  Alliance, 
a  lieavy  sloop  of  war.* 

The  command  of  the  Hague,  one  of  the  two  fri  'utes  w  :w 
left  in  the  American  marine,  was  given  to  Captn  Mt  nly, 
after  her  return  from  the  cruise  under  Captain  N  icJiolson  ; 
and  this  officer  who  had  virtuallly  begun  the  maritime ■  v  ur,  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  in  a  manner  closed  it, 
arduous  and  brilliant  chase,  in  which  he  escaped  from 
of  tho  enemy's  ships  in  tho  West-Indies,  after  being  for 
siderable  time  under  the  guns  of  a  vastly  superior  forrc. 
occurrence  may  bo  said  to  have  brought  tho  regu  fir  n  val 
warfare  of  the  United  States  to  an  end,  so  far  as  the  gov<  n- 
mont  cruisers  were  concerned,  peace  having  been  made  en  *y 
in  1783. 


>y  an 
veral 
con- 
Thiii 


CHAPTER  XII. 


In  March,  1782,  the  Delaware  was  much  infested  by  barges 
and  small  cruisers  of  the  enemy,  which  not  unfrequently  made 
prizes  c,i'  vessels  belonging  to  the  Americans,  as  well  as  mo- 
lestini;  the  people  who  dwelt  near  the  water.  With  a  view  to 
keep  tin;  navigation  open  against  these  marauders,  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  determined  to  fit  out  a  few  vessels  at  its  own 
expense,  and  with  such  materials  as  could  be  hastily  collected. 
With  this  object,  a  small  ship  called  the  Hyder  Ally  was  pur- 
ch»^«Pd.     So  suddenly  did  the  local  government  come  to  its 


*  Jamc«,  very  inaccurate  autliority  in  general,  says  that  this  vessel  waa 
the  Siby),  ruling  tJO,  and  mounting  28  guns,  Captain  Vashon.  It  is  quite 
proibable  he  is  rigiit  in  this  instance. 


118 


NAVAL     IIIHTOIIY. 


117HJ. 


I'ONolutioii,  tliiil  llic<  voNNiil  just  iiMtnitd,  wIkmi  lioiiglit,  litui  actii- 
iilly  <lro|)|ii'(l  (Ittwii  \\\^1  river,  oii  an  oiilwiird-lioiiiui  voyagtt, 
Inadr'il  willi  Hour.  Slir  wax  limit^lit  hack,  lirr  car^o  was  (lis* 
I'liargcil,  ami  an  ariiiaiiiciit  of  1(1  Nix-puiiiidtM's  was  |uil  upon 
lii<r.  So  liitif,  jitivvfvrr,  was  Ihis  slii|>  ready  lor  war,  tlial  slio 
liad  to  Ite  piereod  in  order  to  receivn  Ii«m'  f^uns.  Indeed,  so 
|»resNiuj(  was  llie  emergency,  thai  the  nierehanis  of  Philadel- 
phia aulieipaled  the  passage  ol'  the  law  to  authoris(«  the  pur- 
chaso  auti  euuipuit<n(  of  this  ship,  hy  advan(*iug  funds  lor  that 
purpose;  ai\tl  ihe  ael  had  not  «'ulire(y  gone  through  all  its  legal 
(ornjs,  \uilil  aOer  Ihe  exploit  we  are  ahout  to  rectu'd  had  bet<n 
perlitruietl !     The  et>uiiuissiont>rs  entrusted  with  Ihe  duly  of 

Iut'iiariug  ihe  HJiip,  selected  liieulenaut  Joshua  llarucy,  of  Iho 
'niled  Slates  navy,  as  her  couuuandt<r,  a  young  ollicer  of 
great  decision  of  ehara«'ter  and  personal  bravery,  who  had 
already  distinguished  hiuisetr  in  sidtordinale  slaliops,  i)n  hoard 
ol'diirerenl  cruisers  of  Ihe  general  governnieni,  luil  who,  likn 
NO  ntany  in»»n^  oi"  Ihe  prolession,  was  obliged  iVetpienlly  to 
elioose  between  idl»<ness  and  u  sorvioo  loss  regular  than  that  to 
which  he  properly  belojiged. 

A  crew  of  1 10  men  was  put  on  board  Ihe  llyder  Ally  ;  and 
within  a  torlnight  aller  h«>was  appointed  tocon\n)and  her,  Cap- 
tain Harut^y  sailed.  It  was  not  ihe  inhuilion  itt'llu*  aullu>rtlii<s 
ol'  Pennsv  Ivania,  thai  Ihis  ship  should  gx>  to  sea,  bul  nu>ivly 
that  sh«'  s^ionld  k(>ep  Ihe  navigation  of  llie  river  and  bay  op»>n, 
and  diive  oirprivat«HM"s,  and  other  sn\all  cruisers.  (>n  tb(>  Sih 
oi'  .Vpril.  llu>  MydtM"  Ally  got  into  the  bay  with  a  ciM»si(lerablt> 
convoy  oroul\\artl-bv>und  uu>rchanluu"n.  The  whole  llcci  had 
nnch»>iH"d  in  lh«»  nmds  oiV  Cape  May,  in  wailing  lor  a  wimi  to 
gi^l  to  sea,  when  two  ships  and  a  brig.  «>ne  of  the  lornier  a 
iVigate,  well'  s«>en  n>undiug  ihe  Cape,  with  a  view  to  attack 
\\\v\\\.  Captain  Harney  in\n>ediah'ly  ran  up  a  signal  for  tho 
convoy  lo  trip,  aial  t>>  stand  up  the  kiy  again,  the  wind  being 
to  the  s«>ulhward.  'I'his  ord«n'  was  pvoniplly  olH'ycd,  and  in  a 
few  nimutes,  the  nuMvhanI  vessels,  with  one  exception,  weiv 
nun\iug  o\V  U>loi\»  tlu^  wind,  with  every  thing  set  that  would 
«lraw.  the  llyder  Ally  covering  their  ii^tiwil,  undtn*  t^asy  sail. 
The  vessel  (bat  rxMuaincd.  euiUwvourt'd  tv>  gt>t  to  st\'\,  by  hanl- 
ir.g  cKvse  l^^un^^  the  cape,  but  g»\nnul«Hl  and  Tell  into  the  hands 
t^r  the  eiUMuy.  Aui^lber  vessel  g\>t  on  the  shoals,  and  was 
t,'»K«M\  b\  a  Ihk\I  InMu  the  ucaivsl  ol'tbe  l-l.  ^lish  cruisers. 

An  extensivo  sho>nl,  called  the  "  (^vor  l-'alls,"  forms  two 
channels,  in  tho  lower  pjut  of  IVIawaiv  H^iy.  and  wlnlo  the 


I782.J 


NAVAL     H  I  S  T  O  It  y . 


119 


. 


convoy  pasiu-d  up  th(^  cnstcrnmoat  of  ihcso  olianncis,  or  that 
wliich  i.s  known  as  thn  "  Ca[)o  May  Channel,"  the  frigate  stood 
lovvanls  th<!  wostt-rn,  whiclj  oflbrod  a  better  chance  to  head  the 
fugitivea  at  the  |)oint  whore  the  two  united,  and  which  had  the 
most  water.  Tlio  remaining  ship  and  the  brig,  stood  on  in  the 
(Hrertion  of  the  Hyder  Ally. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  brig,  which  proved  to  bo  a  British 
privateer  out  of  New  York,  called  the  Fair  American,  came 
up  with  the  llyder  Ally,  when  the  latter  offered  her  battle. 
Rut  firing  a  broadside,  the  privateer  kept  aloof,  and  continued 
up  the  bay.  Captain  Barney  declined  to  return  this  fire,  hold- 
ing himself  in  reserve  for  the  ship  astern,  a  large  sloop  of  war, 
which  was  last  coming  up.  When  the  latter  got  quite  near, 
the  1  [yder  Ally,  which  had  kept  close  to  the  shoal,  luffed,  threw 
in  her  broadside,  and  immediately  righting  her  helm,  kept 
away  again.  The  enemy  stood  boldly  on,  and  just  as  his  for- 
ward guns  were  beginning  to  bear,  the  two  vessels  being  within 
pistol-shot,  the  llyder  Ally  attempted  to  luff  athwart  his  hawse, 
when  the  jib-boom  of  the  I'inglish  ship  ran  into  her  fore-rigging, 
and  the  two  vessels  got  foul.  It  is  said  that  Captain  Barney 
obtained  this  advantage  by  deceiving  his  enemy,  having  giveii 
an  order  to  port  the  helm,  in  a  loud  voice,  when  secret  instruc- 
tions had  been  given  to  the  quarter-master  at  the  wheel,  to  put 
his  lidm  hard  a-starboard.  The  Hyder  Ally  now  opened  a 
severe  raking  fire,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  tlic  stranger  struck^  the  ships  remain- 
ing foul  of  each  other. 

The  frigate,  which  had  not  actually  got  into  the  western 
channel,  perceiving  the  gtate  of  things,  changed  her  course, 
with  a  view  to  get  round  to  the  combatants,  and  Captain  Bar- 
ni\v  had  no  time  to  lose.  Throwing  his  first  lieutenant,  with 
a  party,  on  Ixwrd  the  prize,  he  ordered  her  to  continue  up  the 
bjiy,  while  he  covered  the  retreat  with  his  own  ship.  In  the 
mean  while,  the  brig  had  run  aground  above,  in  chase  of  the 
convoy.  There  is  some  reason  to  suppose  that  the  commander 
of  the  frigate  did  not  know  the  result  of  the  action,  for  he 
made  signals  to  the  prize,  and  anchored  alwut  sunset,  leaving 
the  llyder  Ally,  which  had  been  kept  a  long  distance  astern 
ol'the  other  vessels,  with  a  view  to  divert  his  attention,  to  pro- 
ceed to  Philadelphia  without  f'urther  molestation. 

I'P  to  this  moment.  Captain  Barney  did  not  know  even  the 
name  of  his  prize.  He  now  made  sail,  however,  and  running 
alongside  of  her,  for  the  first  time  he  learned  that  he  had  cap- 


.  ■^ir«''.*ji"ip-"-T^u»':''r' 


120 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1782. 


tured  his  Britannic  Majesty's  ship  General  Monk  18,  Captain 
Rogors.  I'liis  vessel  luid  formerly  been  the  American  priva- 
teer, General  Washington,  and  having  fallen  into  the  power 
of  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  he  hail  taken  her  into  the  king's  ser- 
via),  given  her  a  new  name,  and  promoted  a  favourite  officer 
to  her  eommund.  The  Monk  mounted  twenty  nines,  and  is 
said  to  have  had  a  crew  of  136  men.  Captain  Rogers  report- 
ed his  loss  at  six  killed,  an  I  twenty-nine  wounded;  but  Cap- 
tain Borney  stated  it  at  twenty  killed,  and  thirty-six  wounded. 
It  is  j)rol)able  that  the  latter  account  is  nearest  to  the  truth,  as 
the  commander  of  a  captured  vessel  has  not  always  as  good 
an  o|)portunity  as  his  captor,  to  ascertain  his  own  loss.  The 
Hyder  Ally  had  four  killed,  and  eleven  wounded. 

This  action  has  been  justly  deemed  one  of  the  most  bril- 
liant that  over  occurred  under  the  American  flag.  It  was 
fought  in  the  presence  of  a  vastly  superior  force  that  was  not 
engaged ;  and  the  ship  taken  was,  in  every  essential  respect, 
superior  to  her  conqueror.  The  disproportion  in  metal,  be- 
tween a  six-i)oundor  and  a  nine-pounder,  is  one-half;  and  the 
Monk,  besides  being  a  heavier  and  a  larger  ship,  had  uie  most 
men.  Both  vessels  appeared  before  Philadelphia  a  few  hours 
aller  the  action,  bringing  with  them  even  their  dead  ;  and  most 
of  the  leailing  facts  were  known  to  the  entire  community  of 
that  place. 

The  steadiness  with  which  Captain  Barney  protected  his 
convoy,  the  gallantry  and  conduct  with  which  he  engaged, 
and  th(!  perseverance  with  which  he  covered  the  retreat  of  his 
prize,  arc  nil  deserving  of  high  praise.  Throughout  the  whole 
aflair,  this  olficer  discovered  the  qualities  of  a  great  naval  cap- 
tain ;  failing  in  no  essential  of  that  distinguished  character. 

The  Monk,  her  old  name  having  Ix-en  restored,  was  taken 
into  the  service  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  shortly 
allcr  sent  on  duty  in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  to  the  West- 
Indies.  During  this  cruise,  Ca[)tain  Barney,  who  commanded 
her,  had  a  warm  engagement  with  nn  English  brig,  supposed 
to  be  a  privateer,  of  equal  force,  but  she  escaped  from  him, 
the  meeting  occurring  in  thenight,  and  the  enemy  mananwring 
and  sailing  particularly  well.  The  name  of  his  antagonist  is 
not  known.  In  this  alTair,  the  Washington  received  some 
dnmago  in  her  spars,  but  met  with  no  serious  loss. 

Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina  were  the  two  states  that 
most  exerted  themselves,  in  order  to  equip  cruisers  of  their 
own.     As  early  as  September,  1776,  one  of  the  vessels  of  the 


1782.J 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


121 


urn, 
ring 
it  is 

MTIO 


fhat 
heir 
Ithe 


former  is  said  to  have  captured  an  English  sloop  of  war,  after 
a  sharp  action ;  but  we  cun  discover  no  more  than  general  and 
vague  accounts  of  the  atlair. 

Among  the  vessels  of  Massachusetts  was  one  named  after 
the  State  itself,  and  a  brig  called  the  Tyrannicide.  The  latter 
was  a  successful  cruiser,  and  made  many  captures,  but  she 
was  lost  in  the  unfortunate  affair  in  the  Penobscot.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  the  Tyrannicide  was  built  expressly  for  a  cruiser. 
But  the  favourite  officer  of  this  service  appears  to  have  been 
Captain  John  Foster  Williams,  who  commanded  a  brig  called 
the  Hazard,  in  1779.  In  this  vessel,  in  addition  to  the  action 
already  related  with  the  Active,  Captain  Williams  performed 
many  handsome  exploits,  proving  himself,  on  all  occasions,  an 
officer  of  merit. 

After  quitting  the  Hazard,  Captain  Williams  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Protector  20,  equally  a  state  ship.  In  this  vessel 
he  had  the  two  actions  mentioned  in  another  chapter, — that 
with  the  Duff",  and  that  with  the  Thames, — in  bo*.h  of  which 
this  gallant  officer  greatly  distinguished  himself.  Soon  after 
this  brilliant  cruise  he  resumed  the  command  of  the  Hazard, 
which  was  also  lost  to  the  state  in  the  unfortunate  expedition 
against  the  British  in  the  Penobscot.  It  would  probably  have 
been  better  for  Massachusetts  had  it  named  this  meritorious 
officer  to  the  command  of  the  naval  armament  on  that  occa- 
sion. This  unhappy  affair  appears,  in  a  great  degree,  to  have 
put  an  end  to  the  maritime  efforts  of  Massachusetts,  a  state, 
however,  that  was  active  to  the  last,  in  aiding  the  general 
cause. 

Of  the  vessels  of  Carolina  mention  has  already  been  made. 
In  the  early  part  of  the  war  several  light  cruisers  were  em- 
ployed, but  as  the  contest  advanced,  this  State  entertained  a 
plan  of  obtaining  a  few  vessels  of  force,  with  an  intention  of 
striking  a  heavier  blow  than  common  against  the  enemy. 
With  this  view  Commodore  Gillon,  the  officer  who  was  at  the 
head  of  its  little  marine,  went  to  Europe,  and  large  amounts 
of  colonial  produce  were  transmitted  to  him,  in  order  to  raise 
the  necessary  funds.  In  his  correspondence,  this  officer  com- 
plains of  the  difficulty  of  procuring  the  right  sort  of  ships,  and 
much  time  was  lost  in  fruitless  negotiations  for  that  purpose, 
in  both  France  and  Holland.  At  length  an  arrangement  was 
entered  into,  for  one  vessel,  that  is  so  singular  as  to  require 
particular  notice.  This  vessel  was  the  Indien,  which  had  been 
laid  down  by  the  American  commissioners,  at  Amsterdam,  and 
11 


122 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1782. 


I 


Ir    ■ 


subsequently  presented  to  France.  She  had  the  dimensions 
of  a  small  74,  but  was  a  frigate  in  construction,  carrying,  how- 
ever, an  armament  that  consisted  of  28  Swedish  thirty-sixes 
on  her  gun-deck,  and  of  12  Swedish  twelves  on  her  quarter- 
deck and  forecastle,  or  40  guns  in  the  whole.  This  ship, 
though  strictly  the  property  of  France,  had  been  lent  by  Louis 
XVI.  to  the  Duke  of  Luxembourg,  who  hired  her  to  the  State 
of  South  Carolina  for  three  years,  on  condition  that  the  State 
would  insure  her,  sail  her  at  its  own  expense,  and  render  to 
her  owner  one-fourth  of  the  proceeds  of  her  prizes.  Under 
this  singular  compact,  the  ship,  which  was  named  the  South 
Carolina  for  the  occasion,  got  out  in  1781,  and  made  a  suc- 
cessful cruise  in  the  narrow  seas,  sending  her  prizes  into 
Spain.  Afterwards  she  proceeded  to  America,  capturing  ten 
sail,  with  which  she  went  into  the  Havana.  Here  Commodore 
Gillon,  with  a  view  to  distress  the  enemy,  accepted  the  com- 
mand of  the  nautical  part  of  an  expedition  against  the  Baha- 
mas, that  had  been  set  on  foot  by  the  Spaniards,  and  in  which 
other  American  cruisers  joined.  The  expedition  was  success- 
ful, and  the  ship  proceeded  to  Philadelphia.  Commodore  Gil- 
lon now  left  her,  and  after  some  delay,  the  South  Carolina 
went  to  sea  in  December,  1782,  under  the  orders  of  Captain 
Joyner,  an  officer  who  had  previously  served  on  board  her  as 
second  in  command.  It  is  probable  that  the  movements  of  so 
important  a  vessel  were  watched,  for  she  had  scarcely  cleared 
the  capes,  when,  after  a  short  running  fight,  she  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  British  ship  Diomede  44,  having  the  Aslrea  32, 
and  the  Quebec  32,  in  company. 

The  South  Carolina  was  much  the  heaviest  ship  that  ever 
sailed  under  the  American  flag,  until  the  new  frigates  were 
constructed  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  she  is  described  as 
having  been  a  particularly  fast  vessel ;  but  her  service  appears 
to  have  been  greatly  disproportioned  to  her  means.  She  cost 
the  state  a  large  sum  of  money,  and  is  believed  to  have  re- 
turned literally  nothing  to  its  treasury.  Her  loss  excited  much 
comment. 

Admiral  Arbuthnot  reports  among  the  "  rebel  ships  of  war" 
taken  or  sunk  at  the  capture  of  Charleston,  "  the  Bricole, 
pierced  for  60,  mounting  44  guns,  twenty-four  and  eighteen- 
pounders,"  &c.  As  there  never  was  a  vessel  of  this  name  in 
the  navy  of  the  United  States,  it  is  probable  that  this  ship  was 
another  heavy  frigate  obtained  by  the  State  of  South  Carolina, 
in  Europe.    Although  this  state  had  the  pecuniary  means  to 


1782.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


123 


equip  a  better  marine  than  common,  it  had  neither  vessels, 
building-yards,  nor  seamen.  Most  of  its  vessels  were  pur- 
chased, and  its  mariners  were  principally  obtained  from  places 
out  of  its  limits,  Commodore  Gillon  and  Captain  Joyner  being 
both  natives  of  Holland. 

Thus  terminated  the  first  war  in  which  America  was  en- 
gaged as  a  separate  nation,  after  a  struggle  that  had  endured 
seven  years  and  ten  months.  Orders  of  recall  were  immedi- 
ately given  to  the  different  cruisers,  and  the  commissions  of 
all  privateers  and  letters  of  marque  were  revoked.  The  pro- 
clamation announcing  a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  made 
on  the  11th  of  April,  when  the  war  finally  terminated  at  all 
points. 

It  remains  only  to  say  that  the  navy  of  the  Revolution,  like 
its  army,  was  disbanded  at  the  termination  of  the  struggle, 
literally  leaving  nothing  behind  it,  but  the  recollections  of  its 
services  and  sufferings. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


m 

as 

(la, 

to 


The  country  was  too  much  exhausted  by  the  war  of  the 
revolution  to  incur  the  expense  of  a  marine  durinfr  a  time  of 
peace.  But  the  growing  commerce  of  the  country,  as  well  as 
its  unprotected  state,  excited  the  cupidity  of  the  Dey  of  Algiers, 
who  captured  the  schooner  Maine,  of  Boston,  on  the  25th  of 
July,  1785.  This  unprovoked  outrage  was  succeeded  by 
others,  until  the  government  of  the  United  States,  after  negoti- 
ating in  the  best  manner  it  could  for  the  release  of  the  vessels 
and  captives,  found  itself  under  the  necessity  of  arming.  This 
decided  measure  was  not  taken,  however,  until  after  the  or- 
ganisation of  the  government  under  the  new  constitution,  and 
during  the  Presidency  of  Washington.  The  construction  of 
six  frigates  was  authorised  by  law,  and  the  keels  of  the  follow- 
ing vessels  were  laid,  viz  :  the  Constitution  44,  United  States 
44,  President  44,  Chesapeake  38,  Constellation  38,  and  Con- 
gress 38. 

This  was  the  commencement  of  the  actual  and  permanent 
marine  of  the  country.     Three  of  the  ships  just  named  are 


124 


NAVAL.  HlSl'ORY. 


[171)0-98, 


now  in  uso,  and  two  arc  on  foreign  stations.  In  consoqucnco 
of  un  lUTJingcmcnt  oi"  the  didiculties  with  Algiers,  neither  of 
those  vessels  was  launched  for  some  years,  the  work  on  them 
h<:ing  suspended  by  an  order  of  government.  A  navy  was  so 
far  created,  notwithstanding,  that  the  gentlemen  appointed  to 
command  thr"  frigates,  continued  in  service,  us  did  some  of  the 
inferior  oIKuhm's.  Their  duties  were  chiefly  limited  to  taking 
<;are  of  tlu^  ships  that  were  still  on  the  stocks,  and  the  stores 
that  had  ksen  collected.  The  time  was  drawing  near,  how- 
ever, when  a  more  active  and  serviceable  marine  was  estab- 
lished. 

The  President^  in  his  annual  speech  to  Congress,  D(!ccmbcr, 
179(5,  strongly  recommended  laws  for  the  gradual  increase  of 
the  navy.  Jt  is  worthy  of  remark,  as  appears  by  documents 
published  at  the  time,  that,  the  peace  obtained  from  the  Dcy 
of  Algiers  cost  the  government  of'  the  United  States  near  a 
million  of  dollars,  a  sum  quite  suflicient  to  have  kept  the  bar- 
barian's port  hermetically  blockaded  until  ho  should  have 
humbly  sued  for  permission  to  send  a  crall  to  sea. 

While  these  events  were  gradually  leading  to  the  formation 
of  a  navy,  the  maritime  powers  of  Europe  became  involved  in 
what  was  nearly  a  general  war,  and  their  measures  of  hostility 
against  each  other  had  a  direct  tendency  to  trespass  on  the 
privileges  of  neutrals.  It  would  exceed  the  limits  of  this  work 
to  enter  into  the  history  of  that  system  of  gradual  encrcach- 
ments  on  the  rights  of  the  American  people,  which  distinguished 
fhe  measures  of  both  the  two  great  belligerents,  in  the  war  that 
succeeded  the  Fivnch  Revolution  ;  or  the  height  of  audacity  to 
which  the  cruisers  of  France,  in  particular,  cavried  their  depre- 
dations, most  probably  mistaking  the  amount  of  the  influence 
of  their  own  country,  over  the  great  body  of  the  American 
nation.  Not  only  did  they  capture  British  ships  within  our 
■waters,  but  they  actually  took  the  same  liberties  with  Ameri- 
cons  also.  All  attempts  to  obtain  redress  from  the  French 
government  failed,  and  unable  to  submit  anv  longer  to  such 
injustice,  the  president,  in  April,  1798,  recommended  to  Cori- 
grcss  a  plan  of  armament  and  defence,  that  it  was  hoped  would 
liave  the  effect  to  check  these  aggressions,  and  avert  an  open 
conflict.  Down  to  this  period,  the  whole  military  organization 
of  the  country,  was  entrusted  to  one  department,  that  of  war  ; 
and  a  letter  from  the  secretary  of  this  branch  of  the  govern- 
ment, to  the  chairman  of  a  committee  to  devise  means  of  pro- 
tection and  defence,  was  the  form  in  which  this  high  interest 


IVM] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


125 


was  brought  before  the  nation,  through  its  representatives. 
Twenty  small  vessels  were  advised  to  bo  built,  and,  in  the 
event  of  an  open  rupture,  it  was  recommended  to  Congress  to 
authorise  the  President  to  cause  six  ships  of  the  lino  to  be  con- 
structed. This  force  was  in  addition  to  the  six  frigates  au- 
thorised by  the  law  of  1794. 

The  United  States  44,  Constitution  44,  and  Constellation  38, 
had  been  got  afloat  the  year  previous. 

The  United  States  was  the  first  vessel  that  was  got  into  the 
water,  under  the  present  organisation  of  the  navy.  She  was 
launched  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  10th  of  July,  1797,  and  the 
Constellation  followed  her  on  the  7th  of  September. 

Congress  acted  so  far  on  the  recommendation  of  the  secre- 
tary of  war,  as  to  authorise  the  President  to  cause  to  be  built, 
purchased,  or  hired,  twelve  vessels,  none  of  which  were  to  ex- 
ceed twenty-two  guns,  and  to  see  that  they  were  duly  equipped 
and  manned.  To  eflxjct  these  objects  $950,000  were  appro- 
priated. This  law  passed  on  the  27th  of  April,  1798,  and  on  the 
30th,  a  regular  navy  department  was  formally  created.  Ben- 
jamin Stoddart,  of  Georgetown,  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
was  the  first  secretary  put  at  the  head  of  this  important  branch  of 
the  government,  entering  on  his  duties  in  June  of  the  same  year. 

Down  to  this  moment,  the  old  treaty  of  alliance,  formed  be- 
tween France  and  the  United  States  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  some  subsequent  conventions,  were  legally  in 
existence ;  but  Congress  by  law  solemnly  abrogated  them  all, 
on  the  7th  of  July,  1798,  on  the  plea  that  they  had  been  re- 
peatedly disregarded  by  France,  and  that  the  latter  country 
continued,  in  the  face  of  the  most  solemn  remonstrances,  to 
practise  a  system  of  predatory  warfare  on  the  commerce  of  the 
country. 

On  the  11th  of  July,  1798,  a  new  marine  corps  was?  estab- 
lished by  law,  the  old  one  having  been  disbanded  with  the  navy 
of  the  Revolution,  to  which  it  had  properly  belonged.  On  the 
16th  of  the  same  month,  a  law  was  passed  to  construct  three 
more  frigates.  This  act  was  expressed  in  such  terms  as  to 
enable  the  government  immediately  to  complete  the  ships  com- 
menced under  the  law  of  1794,  and  which  had  been  suspended 
under  that  of  1706.  The  whole  force  authorised  by  law,  on 
the  16th  of  July,  consequently,  consisted  of  twelve  frigates; 
twelve  ships  of  a  force  between  20  and  24  guns,  inclusive  ; 
and  six  smaller  sloops,  besides  galleyc  and  revenue  cutters ; 
making  a  total  of  thirty  active  cruisers. 
11* 


126 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


[1798. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Althoboh  three  of  the  frigates  were  launched  in  1797, 
neither  was  quite  ready  for  service  when  the  necessities  of  the 
country  required  that  vessels  should  be  sent  to  sea.  The 
want  of  suitable  spars  and  guns,  and  other  naval  stores,  had 
retarded  the  labour  on  the  frigates,  while  vessels  had  been  rea- 
dily bought  for  the  sloops  of  war,  which,  though  deficient  in 
many  of  the  qualities  and  conveniences  of  regular  cruisers, 
were  made  to  answer  the  exigencies  of  the  times.  Among 
others  that  had  been  thus  provided,  was  an  Indiaman,  called 
the  Ganges.  Retaining  her  name,  this  vessel  was  brought 
into  the  service,  armed  and  equipped  as  a  24,  and  put  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Richard  Dale,  who  was  ordered  to 
sail  on  a  cruise  on  the  22ii  of  May.  This  ship,  then,  was  the 
first  man-of-war  that  ever  i^ot  to  sea  since  the  present  organi- 
sation of  the  navy,  or  since  the  United  States  have  existed  un- 
der the  constitution.  Captain  Dale  was  instructed  to  do  no 
more  than  pertains  generally  to  the  authority  of  a  vessel  of 
war,  that  is  cruising  on  the  coast  of  the  country  to  which  she 
belongs,  in  a  time  of  peace ;  the  law  that  empowered  seizures 
not  passing  until  a  few  days  after  he  had  sailed.  His  cruising 
ground  extended  from  the  east  end  of  Long  Island  to  the  capes 
of  \  'rginia,  with  a  view  to  cover,  as  much  as  possible,  the 
three  important  ports  of  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New 
York ;  and,  in  anticipation  of  the  act  of  the  28th  of  May, 
Captain  Dale  was  directed  to  appear  off  the  capes  of  the  De- 
laware on  the  12th  of  June,  to  receive  new  orders.  On  that 
day,  instructions  were  accordingly  sent  to  him  to  capture  all 
French  cruisers  that  were  hovering  on  the  coast  with  hostile 
views  on  the  American  commerce,  and  to  recapture  any  of 
their  prizes  he  might  happen  to  fall  in  with. 

The  Constellation  38,  Captain  Truxtun,  and  the  Delaware 
20,  Captain  Decatur,  went  to  sea,  early  in  June,  under  the  last 
of  the  foregoing  orders,  and  with  directions  to  cruise  to  the 
southward  of  Cape  Henry,  as  far  as  the  coast  of  Florida. 
When  a  few  days  out,  the  Delaware  fell  in  with  the  French 
privateer  schooner  Le  Croyable  14,  with  a  crew  of  70  men. 
Being  satisfied  that  this  vessel  had  already  made  several  prizes, 


n')8.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


127 


f\ 


and  that  she  was  actually  cruising  on  soundings,  in  search  of 
more,  Captain  Decatur  took  hor,  and  sent  her  into  tl)e  Dela- 
ware. As  the  law  directing  the  capture  of  all  armed  French 
vessels  passed  soon  after  her  arrival,  Le  Croyable  was  con- 
demned, and  bought  into  the  navy.  She  was  called  the  Reta- 
liation, and  the  command  of  her  was  given  to  Lieutenant 
Bainbridgc. 

Le  Croyable  was,  consequently,  not  only  the  first  capture 
made,  in  what  it  is  usual  to  term  the  war  of  1798,  but  she 
was  the  first  vessel  ever  taken  by  the  present  navy,  or  under 
the  present  form  of  government. 

The  activity  employed  by  the  administration,  as  well  as  by 
the  navy,  now  astonished  those  who  had  so  long  been  accus- 
tomed to  believe  the  American  people  disposed  to  submit  to 
any  insult,  in  preference  to  encountering  the  losses  of  a  war. 
The  Unit  States  44,  Captain  Barry,  went  to  sea  early  in 
July,  and  loceeded  to  cruise  to  the  eastward.  This  ship  car- 
ried out  with  her  many  young  gentlemen,  who  have  since 
risen  to  high  rank  and  distinction  in  the  service.  But  the  law 
of  the  9th  of  that  month,  occurring  immediately  afterwards, 
the  government  altered  its  policy  entirely,  and  determined  to 
send,  at  once,  a  strong  force  among  the  West-India  islands, 
where  the  enemy  abounded,  and  where  the  commerce  of  the 
country  was  most  exposed  to  his  depredations.  On  the  11th, 
instructions  were  sent  to  Captain  Barry,  who  now  hoisted  a 
broad  pennant,  to  go  oflT  Cape  Cod,  with  the  Delaware  20, 
Captain  Decatur,  where  he  would  find  the  Herald  18,  Captain 
Sevier,  that  officer  preferring  active  service  in  a  small  vessel, 
to  waiting  for  the  frigate  to  which  he  had  been  appointed,  and 
then  to  proceed  directly  to  the  West-Indies,  keeping  to  wind- 
ward. 

Tht*t  well-known  frigate,  the  Constitution  44,  had  been 
launched  at  Boston,  September  20th  1797 ;  and  she  first  got 
under  way,  July  20th  of  this  year,  under  Captain  Samuel  Ni- 
cholson, who,  in  August,  with  four  revenue  vessels  in  com- 
pany, was  directed  to  cruise  on  the  coast,  to  the  southward  of 
Cape  Henry. 

Early  in  August,  the  Constellation  38,  Captain  Truxtun,  and 
the  Baltimore  20,  Captain  Phillips,  went  to  the  Havana,  and 
brought  a  convoy  of  sixty  sail  in  safety  to  the  United  States  ; 
several  French  cruisers  then  lying  in  the  port,  ready  to  follow 
the  merchantmen,  but  for  this  force,  the  presence  of  which 
prevented  them  from  appearing  outside  the  castle.     By  the 


128 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1798. 


close  of  tho  year,  a  force  consisting  of  three  frigates  eleven 
sloops  and  brigs,  and  nine  smaller  vessels,  was  at  sea;  most 
of  tlie  vessels  being  either  in  the  West  Indies,  or  employed  in 
convoying  between  the  islands  and  the  United  States. 

Besides  tho  vessels  named,  many  more  were  already  laid 
down ;  and  so  great  was  the  zeal  of  the  commercial  towns,  in 
particular,  that  no  less  than  two  frigates,  and  five  large  sloops 
were  building  by  subscription,  in  the  diflerent  principal  ports. 
In  addition  to  this  force,  must  be  enumerated  eight  large  gal- 
leys, that  were  kept  on  the  southern  coast,  to  defend  their 
inlets. 

It  has  been  stated  that  tho  privateor  Le  Croyable  14,  cap- 
tured by  the  Delaware  20,  had  been  taken  into  the  service, 
under  the  name  of  tho  Retaliation.  In  November,  1798, 
the  Montcztima  20,  Captain  Murray,  Norfolk  18,  Captain 
Williams,  and  the  Retaliation  12,  Lieutenant-Commandant 
Bainbridge,  were  cruising  in  company  off  Guadaloupe,  when 
three  sails  were  made  to  the  eastward,  and  soon  after  two 
more  to  the  westward.  Captain  Murray,  who  was  the  se- 
nior ofiicer,  was  led  to  suppose,  from  circumstances,  that  the 
vessels  in  the  eastern  board  were  British ;  and  speaking  the 
Retaliation,  he  ordered  Lieutenant  Bainbridge  to  reconnoitre 
them,  while  with  the  Norfolk  in  company,  he  gavf  .'base,  him- 
self, in  the  Montezuma,  to  the  two  vessels  to  tho  westward. 
The  Retaliation,  in  obedience  to  these  orders,  immediately 
hauled  up  towards  the  three  strangers,  and  getting  near  enough 
for  signals,  she  showed  her  own  number,  with  a  view  to  ascer- 
tain if  they  wore  Americans.  Finding  that  he  was  not  under- 
stood. Lieutenant  Bainbridge  mistook  the  strangers  for  English 
cruisers,  knowing  that  several  were  on  the  station,  and  unluck- 
ily permitted  them  to  approach  so  near,  that  when  their  real 
characters  were  ascertained,  it  was  too  late  to  escape.  Tho 
leading  ship,  a  French  frigate,  was  an  uncommonly  fast  sailer, 
and  she  was  soon  near  enough  to  open  her  fire.  It  was  not 
long  before  another  frigate  came  up,  when  the  Retaliation  was 
compelled  to  lower  her  flag.  Thus  did  this  unlucky  vessel  be- 
come tho  first  cruiser  taken  by  both  parties,  in  t'.iis  war.  The 
frigates  by  which  the  Retaliation  was  capturer,,  proved  to  be 
the  Volontaire  36,  and  the  Insurgente  32,  the  lormer  carrying 
44,  and  the  latter  40  guns.  Mr.  Bainbridge  was  put  on  board 
the  Volontaire,  while  the  Insurgente,  perceiving  that  the 
schooner  was  safe,  continued  to  carry  sail  in  chase  of  the 


1798.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


129 


Montezuma  and  Norfolk.  As  soon  as  a  prize  crow  could  bo 
thrown  into  tiiu  Retaliation,  tho  Volontairc  crowded  snil  odor 
her  conaoit.  The  chase  now  became  exceedingly  interesting, 
the  two  American  vessels  being  fully  aware,  by  the  capture  of 
llic  schooner,  that  they  had  to  deal  with  an  enemy.  Tho  In- 
surgente  was  one  of  tho  fastest  ships  in  tho  world,  and  her 
commander  an  ofTiccr  of  groat  skill  and  resolution.  Tho  two 
American  vessels  were  small  for  their  rates,  and,  indeed,  were 
over-rated,  tho  Montezuma  being  a  little  ship  of  only  347  tons, 
and  the  Norfolk  a  brig  of  200.  Their  armaments  were  merely 
nines  and  sixes  ;  shot  that  would  be  scarcely  regarded  in  a 
conflict  with  frigates.  Tho  officers  of  tho  Volonlaire  collected 
on  the  forecastle  of  their  ship  to  witness  tho  chase  ;  and  the  In- 
surgcnte  being,  by  this  time,  a  long  way  ahead,  Captain  St. 
Laurent,  tho  commander  of  the  Volontaire,  asked  Mr.  Buin- 
bridge,  who  was  standing  near  him,  what  might  be  tho  force 
of  the  two  American  vessels.  With  great  presence  of  mind, 
Mr.  Bainbridge  answered,  that  the  ship  carried  28  twelves,  and 
the  brig  20  nines.  As  this  account  quite  doubled  the  real  force 
of  the  Americans,  Captain  St.  Laurent,  who  was  senior  to  the 
commander  of  the  Insurgente,  immediately  threw  out  a  signal 
to  the  latter  to  relinqjish  the  chase.  This  was  an  unmilitary 
order,  even  admitting  the  fact  to  have  been  as  stated,  for  the 
Insurgente  would  have  been  fully  able  to  employ  two  such 
vessels  until  the  Volontaire  could  come  up  ;  but  the  recent  suc- 
cesses of  the  English  had  rendered  the  French  cruisers  wary, 
and  the  Americans  and  English,  as  seamen,  were  probably 
identified  in  the  minds  of  the  enemy.  The  signal  caused  as 
much  surprise  to  Captain  Murray,  in  the  Montezuma,  as  to 
Captain  Barreault,  of  the  Insurgente;  for  the  latter,  an  excel- 
lent and  spirited  officer,  had  got  so  near  his  chases  as  to  havo 
made  out  their  force,  and  to  feel  certain  of  capturing  both. 
The  signal  was  obeyed,  however,  and  the  Montezuma  and 
Norfolk  escaped. 

When  the  two  French  vessels  rejoined  each  other.  Captain 
Barreault  naturally  expressed  his  surprise  at  having  been  re- 
called under  such  circumstances.  An  explanation  followed, 
when  the  ruse  that  had  been  practised  by  Mr.  Bainbridge,  was 
discovered.  It  is  to  tho  credit  of  the  French  officers,  that, 
while  they  were  much  vexed  at  the  results  of  this  artifice,  they 
never  visited  the  offender  with  their  displeasure. 

The  United  States  44,  and  Delaware  20,  captured  the  pri- 


130 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


(1 791). 


vntecr«  Snus  I'lircil  10,  and  Jnloux  14,  in  the  courHO  of  tho 
autumn,  iiiul  s(>nt  iho.tu  in. 

ThuM  tt.-rniinaUMl  \hr,  your  1798,  leaving  tho  United  Slaten 
with  a  hastily  collected,  an  imperfectly  organised,  and  un- 
equally (lisi'iplined  H(|uadr(>n  of  shi|)s,  it  is  true;  but  a  siTvico 
that  contain*  (1  the  gcTni  of  all  that  is  rcquisito  to  muKu  an  uc< 
tlvo,  an  cllicii.  nt,  and  a  glorious  marine. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

TiiK  year  1709  opened  with  no  departure  from  tho  policy 
laid  down  by  the  government,  and  the  building  and  equipping 
of  tho  ditlerent  ships  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  were 
pressed  with  ns  much  diligence  as  the  public  resources  would 
then  allow.  In  the  course  of  this  season,  many  vessels  were 
launched,  and  most  of  them  got  to  sea  within  the  year.  Inclu- 
ding all,  those  that  were  employed  in  1798,  those  that  were 
put  in  conunission  early  in  the  ensuing  year,  and  those  that 
were  enabled  to  quit  port  nearer  to  its  close,  the  entire  active 
naval  force  of  the  United  States,  in  1799,  would  seem  to  have 
been  composed  of  tho  following  vessels,  viz : 

United  States 44,         Delaware 20, 


Constitution 44, 

Congress 38, 

Constellation 38, 

Essex 32, 

Cleneral  Greene 28, 

Boston 28, 

Adams 28, 

.John  Adams 28, 

Portsmouth 24, 

Connecticut 24, 

Ganges 24, 

Geo.  Washington,  .  . ,  24, 
Merrimack 24, 


Baltimore 20, 

Patapsco 20, 

Maryland 20, 

Herald 18, 

Norfolk 18, 

Richmond 18, 

Pinckney 18, 

Warren 18, 

Eagle, 18, 

Pickering 14, 

Augusta 14, 

Scammcl 14, 


Enterprise 12. 

To  these  must  be  added  a  few  revenue  vessels,  though  most 
of  this  description  of  cruisers  appear  to  have  been  kept  on  the 


17!)9.] 


NAVAL     HidTOKY. 


Ml 


lost 
the 


coast  throughout  this  year.  As  yut,  the  greatest  confusion  and 
ir^eguluritv  prcvaih-d  in  the  ruling,  no  uniform  system  uj)[K;ar- 
ing  to  hiiNc  been  adopted.  The  vessels  built  by  the  diilerent 
cities,  iitid  presented  to  the  public,  in  particular,  were  rated  too 
high,  from  a  natural  desire  to  make  the  offering  as  respectable 
as  possible ;  and  it  does  not  appear  to  have  been  thought  expe- 
dient, on  the  part  of  the  government,  prematurely  to  correct 
the  mistakes. 

On  the  0th  of  February,  the  Constellation  38,  Commodore 
Truxtun,  was  cruising  on  her  prescribed  ground,  Nevis  Ixjuring 
W.  S,  W.,  distant  five  leagues,  when  she  made  a  largo  ship 
in  the  southern  board.  The  Constellation  being  to  windward 
at  the  moment.  Commodore  Truxtun  ran  down  towards  the 
stranger,  who  now  set  American  colours,  when  the  private 
signals  were  sliown.  As  the  chase  was  unable  to  answer,  he 
seemed  to  think  further  disguise  unnecessary,  for  he  hoisted 
the  French  ensign,  and  fired  a  gun  to  windward,  by  way  of  a 
challenge,  keeping  under  easy  sail,  to  invite  the  contest.  This 
was  the  first  opportunity  thai  had  occurred  since  the  close  of 
the  Revolution,  for  an  American  vessel  of  v/ar  to  get  alongside 
of  an  enemy,  of  a  force  likely  to  render  a  combat  certain,  and 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  Constellation  displayed  the  greatest 
eagerness  to  engage.  On  the  other  hand,  the  stranger  be- 
trayed no  desire  to  disappoint  his  enemy,  waiting  gallantly  for 
hei  *o  come  down.  When  the  Constellation  had  got  abeam  of 
the  French  frigate,  and  so  near  as  to  have  been  several  times 
hailed,  she  opened  her  fire,  which  was  returned  promptly  and 
with  spirit.  The  Constellation  drew  gradually  ahead,  both 
ships  maintaining  a  fierce  cannonade.  The  former  suffered 
most  in  her  sails  and  rigging,  and  while  under  the  heaviest  of 
the  fire  of  her  antagonist,  the  fore-topmast  was  badly  wounded, 
quite  near  the  lower  cap.  The  fore-top  was  commanded  by 
Mr.  David  Porter,  a  midshipman  of  great  promise,  and  finding 
that  his  hails  to  communicate  this  important  circumstance  were 
disregarded,  in  the  heat  of  the  combat,  this  young  officer  took 
on  himself  the  responsibility  of  cutting  the  stoppers  and  of 
lowering  the  yard.  By  thus  relieving  the  spar  of  the  pressure 
of  the  sail,  he  prevented  the  fall  of  the  topmast  and  all  its 
hamper.  In  the  mean  time  the  weight  and  effect  of  the  fire  were 
altogether  in  favour  of  the  Constellation,  and  notwithstanding 
the  injury  she  received  in  her  fore-topmast,  that  ship  was  soon 
able  to  throw  in  two  or  three  raking  broadsides,  which  decided 


132 


NAVAL      HISTORY 


[1799. 


the  combat.  Afler  maintaining  a  close  contest  of  about  an  hour, 
the  Constellation  shot  out  of  the  smoke,  wore  round,  and  haul- 
ing athwart  her  antagonist's  stern,  was  ready  again  with  every 
gun  to  rake  her,  when  the  enemy  struck. 

The  prize  proved  to  be  the  French  frigate  I'Insurgente,  Cap- 
tain Barreault,  the  vessel  that  has  already  been  mentioned,  as 
having  captured  the  Retaliation,  and  chasing  the  Montezuma 
and  Norfolk,  and  one  of  the  fastest  ships  in  the  world.  She 
was  much  cut  up,  and  had  sustained  a  loss  of  70  men,  in 
killed  and  wounded ;  29  of  the  former,  and  41  of  the  latter. 
The  Constellation,  besides  the  loss  of  the  fore-topmast,  which 
had  to  be  shifted,  was  much  damaged  aloft,  suffering  no  mate- 
rial injury  in  her  hull,  however,  and  had  only  3  men  wounded. 
Among  the  latter,  was  Mr.  James  M'Donough,  a  midshipman, 
who  had  a  foot  shot  off.  Early  in  the  combat,  one  of  the  men 
flinched  from  his  gun,  and  he  was  killed  by  the  third  lieuten- 
ant, to  whose  division  he  belonged. 

The  Insurgente's  armament  consisted  of  40  guns,  French 
twelves,  on  her  main-deck  battery,  and  her  complement  of  men 
was  409.  She  was  a  ship  a  little  heavier  than  a  regular  32, 
which  would  probably  have  been  her  rate  in  the  English  ma- 
rine, although  a  French  twelve-pound  shot  weighs  nearly  thir- 
teen English  pounds.  On  this  occasion,  the  Constellation  is 
said  to  have  carried  but  38  guns,  twelve  less  than  have  been 
put  upon  her  since  the  introduction  of  carronades,  and  she  had 
a  crew  of-  309  men.  But  the  main-deck  battery  of  the  Con- 
stellation was  composed  of  twenty-fours,  a  gun  altogether  too 
heavy  for  her  size  and  strength,  and  from  which  she  was  re- 
lieved at  the  termination  of  this  cruise,  by  exchanging  her 
armament  for  eighteens. 

The  Insurgente  struck  about  half  past  three  in  the  afternoon, 
and  Mr.  Rodgers,*  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Constellation,  to- 
gether with  Mr.  Porter,t  and  eleven  men,  were  thrown  on 
board  her,  to  take  possession,  and  to  superintend  the  removal 
of  the  prisoners.  It  began  to  blow,  and  when  the  darkness 
rendered  it  necessary  to  defer  the  duty,  173  of  the  prize's  crew 
were  still  in  her.  The  wind  continued  to  rise,  and,  notwith- 
standing every  effort,  the  ships  separated  in  the  darkness. 

The  situation  of  Mr.  Rodgers  was  now  exceedingly  critical. 
The  vessel  was  still  covered  with  the  wreck,  while  the  wound- 


*  Late  Commodore  Rodgers. 


t  Commodore  Porter. 


i 


1799.J 


NAVAL     H  I  S  r  O  11  Y 


133 


Itical. 
)und- 


ed,  and  even  the  dead  were  lying  scattered  about  her  decks, 
and  the  prisoners  early  discovered  a  disposition  to  rise.  The 
gratings  had  been  thrown  overboard  by  the  people  of  the  In- 
surgcnte  alter  she  struck,  and  no  handcufls  could  be  found. 
Fortunately,  Mr.  Rodgers  was  a  man  of  great  personal  resolu- 
tion, and  of  herculean  strength,  while  Mr.  Porter,  though 
young  and  comparatively  slight,  was  as  good  a  second,  in  such 
trying  circumstances,  as  any  one  could  desire.  As  soon  as  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  prisoners  could  not  be  got  out  of  the 
ship  that  night,  they  were  all  sent  into  the  lower  hold,  the  fire- 
arms were  secured,  and  a  sentinel  was  placed  at  each  hatch- 
way, armed  to  the  teeth,  with  positive  order«  to  shoot  every 
man  who  should  attempt  to  appear  on  deck,  without  permis- 
sion. In  this  awkward  situation,  Mr.  Rodgers  and  his  party 
continued  three  days,  unable  to  sleep,  compelled  to  manage  a 
frigate,  and  to  watch  their  prisoners  with  the  utmost  vigilance, 
as  the  latter  were  constantly  on  the  look-out  for  an  opportunity 
to  retake  the  ship.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  they  carried  the 
Insurgente,  in  triumph,  into  St.  Kitts,  where  they  found  that 
the  Constellation  had  already  arrived. 

One  of  the  effects  of  the  victory  of  the  Constellation  was  to 
render  the  navy  still  more  popular,  and  the  most  respectable 
families  of  the  nation  discovered  greater  anxiety  than  ever  to 
get  their  sons  enrolled  on  its  lists.  The  new  ships  were  put 
into  the  water  as  fast  as  possible,  and,  as  soon  as  manned  and 
equipped,  were  sent  on  the  different  cruising  grounds.  L'ln- 
surgente  was  taken  into  the  service  as  a  thirty-six,  the  com- 
mand of  her  was  given  to  Captain  Murray,  late  of  the  Monte- 
zuma 20,  and  she  was  permitted  to  cruise  with  a  roving  com- 
mission. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  care  of  the  government  appeared  to 
extend  itself,  and  it  began  to  cast  its  eyes  beyond  the  hazards 
of  the  American  seas. 

At  the  close  of  the  year,  the  Congress  38,  Captain  Sever, 
and  Essex  32,  Captain  Preble,  sailed  with  orders  to  convoy 
vessels  as  far  as  Batavia.  The  former  of  these  vessels  met 
with  an  accident  to  which  all  new  ships  are  liable  on  quitting 
America  in  the  winter.  Her  rigging  having  been  set  up  in 
cold  weather,  it  became  slack  when  she  got  into  the  gulf 
stream,  where  she  also  encountered  a  strong  southerly  gale, 
and  she  lost  not  only  all  her  masts,  but  her  bowsprit.  The 
main-mast  went  while  Mr.  Bosworth,  the  fourth  lieutenant,  was 
aloft,  endeavouring  to  lower  the  main-topmast,  by  which  acci- 
12 


134 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1799. 


dent  that  officer  was  lost.  The  crew  of  the  top  were  all  hap- 
pily saved. 

The  Congress  returned  to  port,  for  repairs,  but  Captain  Preble 
proceeded  on  his  cruise,  carrying  the  pennant,  for  the  first  time 
in  a  regular  cruiser,  to  the  eastward  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

The  active  measures  resorted  to  by  the  American  govern- 
ment, having  better  disposed  that  of  France  to  negotiate,  and 
pledges  having  been  given  that  new  ministers  would  be  re- 
ceived with  more  respect  than  had  been  shown  to  those  last 
sent,  who  had  met  with  insults  and  neglect,  the  United  States 
44,  Commodore  Barry,  sailed  from  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  on 
the  3d  of  November,  having  on  board  envoys  to  the  French 
Directory.  Notwithstanding  these  measures  to  obtain  peace, 
Congress  proceeded  in  the  legislation  necessary  to  establish  a 
marine.  Many  of  the  laws  for  the  government  of  the  navy 
were  amended,  and  new  regulations  were  introduced  as  substi- 
tutes for  such  of  the  old  ones  as  were  found  defective.  The 
appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  navy,  during  the  year  1800, 
the  marine  corps  included,  amounted  to  $2,482,953  90. 

The  new  year  consequently  opened  with  increased  efforts 
to  continue  the  singular  war  that  had  now  existed  eighteen 
months.  Many  acquisitions  were  made  to  the  navy,  and  the 
following  is  a  list  of  the  vessels  that  appear  to  have  been  em- 
ployed in  the  course  of  the  season,  principally  in  the  West-In- 
dies, viz : 


United  States 44, 

Constitution 44, 

President 44, 

Constellation 38, 

Congress 38, 

Chesapeake 38, 

Philadelphia 38, 

New  York 36, 

Insurgente 36, 

Essex 32, 

General  Greene 28, 

Adams 28, 

John  Adams 28, 

Boston 28, 

Geo.  Washington ....  24, 

Connecticut 24, 

Ganges 24, 

Trumbull 24, 


Portsmouth 24, 

Merrimack 24, 

Delaware 20, 

Baltimore 20, 

Maryland 20, 

Patapsco 20, 

Herald 18, 

Norfolk 18, 

Richmond 18, 

Pinckney 18, 

Warren 18, 

Eagle 14, 

Piclcering 14, 

Augusta 14, 

Scammel 14, 

Enterprise 12, 

Experiment 12. 


1799.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


135 


8, 
4, 
4, 
4, 
4, 
2, 
2. 


By  this  time,  the  revenue  vessels,  with  the  exception  of  one 
or  two,  appear  to  have  been  retained  at  home,  and  in  the  fore- 
going list,  no  mention  is  made  of  galleys.  Laws  had  been 
previously  passed  for  the  construction  of  six  seventy-fours,  and 
contracts  were  already  made  for  the  collection  of  the  necessary 
materials. 

The  cruising  portion  of  the  vessels  were  distributed  in  two 
principal  squadrons,  the  one  on  the  St.  Domingo  station  under 
the  orders  of  Commodore  Talbot,  whose  broad  pennant  was 
flying  in  the  Constitution  44,  and  the  other  on  the  Guadaloupe 
station,  under  the  orders,  first  of  Commodore  Truxtun,  in  the 
Constellation  38,  and  next  under  the  orders  of  Commodore 
Decatur,  in  the  Philadelphia  38.  The  force  of  the  former 
varied  from  seven  to  twelve  vessels,  while  that  of  the  latter,  in 
April,  consisted  of  thirteen  sail. 

Notwithstanding  this  exhibition  of  a  respectable  and  active 
force,  the  great  facilities  offered  by  the  islands,  and  the  strong 
temptations  that  were  to  be  found  in  the  American  West- India 
trade,  then  one  of  the  most  considerable  of  the  country,  induced 
the  enemy  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert,  and  the  seas  were  still 
swarming  with  French  cruisers,  principally  privateers.  Gua- 
daloupe, in  particular,  was  distinguished  for  the  number  of 
captures  made  by  its  vessels ;  and  it  was  for  this  reason  that 
we  now  find  the  heaviest  American  squadron  cruising  in  that 
vicinity. 

On  the  1st  of  February,  1800,  the  Constellation  38,  Com- 
modore Truxtun,  was  again  off  the  island  of  Guadaloupe, 
alone,  Basseterre  bearing  east  five  leagues,  when  a  sail  was 
seen  to  the  southeast,  steering  westward.  Commodore  Trux- 
tun at  first  supposed  the  ship  in  sight  to  be  a  large  English 
merchantman,  from  Martinico,  of  which  he  had  some  know- 
ledge, and,  unwilling  to  be  drawn  to  leeward  of  his  cruising 
ground,  he  hoisted  English  colours,  by  way  of  inducing  her  to 
run  down  and  speak  him.  This  invitation  being  disregarded, 
sail  was  made  in  chase,  the  Constellation  gaining  fast  on  the 
stranger.  As  the  former  drew  nearer,  the  ship  to  leeward  was 
discovered  to  be  a  French  vessel  of  war,  when  the  English 
colours  were  hauled  down,  and  the  Constellation  cleared  for 
action.  The  chase  was  now  distinctly  made  out  to  be  a  heavy 
frigate  mounting  52  guns.  As  her  metal  was  in  all  probability 
equal  to  her  rate,  the  only  circumstance  to  equalise  this  dis- 
parity against  the  Constellation,  was  the  fact  that  the  stranger 


136 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[177D. 


was  very  deep,  which  was  accounted  for  by  a  practice  of  send- 
ing valuable  articles  to  France,  at  that  time,  in  the  ships  of 
war,  as  the  salest  means  of  transmission.  Commodore  Trux- 
tun  was  not  discouraged  by  his  discovery,  but  continued  to 
ccrry  every  stitch  of  canvass  that  would  draw.  Towards 
noon,  however,  the  wind  became  light,  and  the  enemy  had  the 
advantage  in  sailing.  In  this  manner,  with  variable  breezes, 
and  a  smooth  sea,  the  chase  continued  until  noon  on  the  2d, 
when  the  wind  Ireshened,  and  the  Constellation  again  drew 
ahead.  By  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  the  wind  had  every 
appearance  of  standing,  and  the  chase  was  rising  fast.  It  was 
eight  in  the  evening,  nevertheless,  before  the  two  ships  were 
within  speaking  distance  of  each  other,  the  stranger  having 
come  up  to  the  wind  a  little,  and  the  Constellation  doublinj^  on 
her  weather  quarter.  Commodore  Truxtun  was  about  to  (•peak 
to  the  enemy,  when  the  latter  opened  a  fire  from  his  stern  and 
quarter  guns.  In  a  few  moments  the  Constellation,  having 
drawn  still  more  on  the  weather  quarter  of  the  chase,  poured  in 
a  broadside,  and  the  action  began  in  earnest.  It  was  a  little 
past  eight  when  the  firing  commenced,  and  it  was  maintained 
with  vigour  until  near  one  in  the  morning,  the  two  ships,  most 
of  the  time,  running  free,  side  by  side,,  when  the  stranger 
hauled  up,  and  drew  out  of  the  combat.  Orders  were  given 
on  board  the  Constellation  to  brace  up  in  chase ;  but  at  this 
moment,  a  report  was  brought  to  Commodore  Truxtun  that  the 
main-mast  was  supported  almost  solely  by  the  wood,  every 
shroud  having  been  shot  away,  and  many  of  them  so  repeatedly 
cut  as  to  render  the  use  of  stoppers  impossible.  At  that  time, 
as  has  been  said  already,  masts  were  usually,  in  the  American 
navy,  of  single  sticks,  and  the  spars,  when  they  gave  way, 
went  altogether.  Aware  of  this  danger.  Commodore  Truxtun 
ordered  the  men  from  the  guns,  to  secure  this  all-important 
mast,  with  the  hope  of  getting  alongside  of  his  enemy  again, 
and,  judging  by  the  feebleness  of  her  resistance  for  the  last 
hour,  with  the  certainty  of  taking  he",  could  this  object  be 
efiected.  But  no  exertion  could  obviate  the  calamity,  the 
mast  coming  by  the  board  within  a  few  minutes  after  the  ene- 
my had  sheered  off.  All  the  topmen,  including  Mr.  Jarvis, 
the  midshipman  in  command  aloft,  went  over  the  side  with  the 
spars,  and,  that  gallant  young  officer,  who  had  refused  to 
abandon  his  post,  with  all  but  one  man,  was  lost. 

The  Constellatiru  was  no  longer  in  a  situation  to  resume 


1800.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


137 


»me 


the  action,  and  her  enemy  was  in  a  far  worse  condition,  with 
the  exception  that  she  still  retained  spars  enough  to  enable  her 
to  escape.  Finding  it  impossible  to  reach  any  friendly  port  to 
windward,  as  soon  as  the  wreck  was  clear  of  his  ship,  Com- 
modore  Truxtun  bore  up  for  Jamaica,  where  he  arrived  in 
safety. 

In  this  close  and  hard-fought  action,  the  Constellation  had 
14  men  killed  and  25  wounded,  11  of  the  latter  djing  of  their 
injuries.  Her  antagonist  afterwards  got  into  Cura<}oa,  dis- 
masted, and  in  a  sinking  condition,  reporting  herself  to  !iavo 
had  50  of  her  people  killed,  and  110  wounded,  in  an  engage- 
ment with  the  Constellation,  that  had  lasted  five  hours  within 
pistol-shot.  This  statement  is  now  known  to  be  essentially 
true,  and  it  enables  us  to  form  a  comparative  estimate  of  the 
merits  of  the  action.  The  French  vessel  proved  to  be  la  Ven- 
geance, Captain  Pilot. 

The  armament  of  the  Constellation  had  been  changed  since 
her  action  with  the  Insurgente,  and  her  main-deck  battery 
now  consisted  of  28  eighteens,  and  she  had  10  twenty-four- 
pound  carronades  on  her  quarter-deck,  which  were  among  the 
first,  if  not  the  very  first  guns  of  this  description  ever  intro- 
duced into  the  American  nd.\y.  Her  creM'  was  composed  of 
310  souls. 

The  force  of  la  Vengeance  has  been  ascertained  to  have 
been  28  eighteens,  16  twelves,  and  8  forty-two-pound  carron- 
ades. Her  crew  has  been  variously  stated  as  having  been  be- 
tween 400  and  500  men.  The  metal  was  all  according  to 
the  French  mode  of  weighing,  which  adds  one  pound  to  .  very 
twelve. 

There  is  no  question  that  the  Constellation  engaged  a  ma- 
terially superior  force,  or  any  doubt  that  she  would  have 
brought  la  Vengeance  into  port,  but  for  the  loss  of  the  mast. 
It  is  even  said  that  la  Vengeance  did  strike  her  colours  three 
times,  during  the  action,  but  finding  that  the  Constellation  con- 
tinued her  fire,  they  were  re-hoisted.  If  such  an  event  oc- 
curred, it  must  have  arisen  from  the  fact  that  it  was  not  per- 
ceived in  the  obscurity  of  the  night.  Commodore  Truxtun 
gained  a  gi  ;'.t  name  by  this  action,  and  on  his  return  to 
America  for  repairs,  he  was  appointed  to  the  President  44,  'hen 
fitting  for  sea.  Congress  gave  him  a  gold  medal  for  his  good 
conduct,  and  the  gallantry  of  Mr.  Jarvis  was  approved  in  a 
solemn  resolution.  The  (Constellation  was  now  given  to  Cap- 
tain Murray,  who  had  just  returned  from  a  short  cruise  in  the 
13* 


138 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1800. 


I  . 


Insurgente,  and  that  officer  went  in  her  to  the  West-Indies, 
where  she  joined  the  squadron  under  Commodore  Talbot. 

The  latter  officer  had  been  cruising  for  some  months  on  the 
St.  Domingo  station,  and  about  this  time  he  planned  an  expe- 
dition that  was  quite  in  character  with  his  own  personal  enter- 
prises during  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

It  was  ascertained  that  a  valuable  French  letter  of  marque, 
was  lying  in  Port  Platte,  a  small  harbour  on  the  Spanish  side 
of  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo,  and  as  she  was  a  dangerous  ship 
on  account  of  her  sailing.  Commodore  Talbot  determined  to 
attempt  cutting  her  out.  This  vessel  had  been  the  British 
packet  the  Sandwich,  and  she  only  v/aited  to  complete  a  cargo 
of  coffee,  to  make  a  run  for  France.  The  legality  of  the  enter- 
prise was  more  than  questionable,  but  the  French  picaroons 
received  so  much  favour  in  the  Spanish  colonies,  that  the 
American  officers  were  less  scrupulous  than  they  might  other- 
wise have  been. 

As  soon  as  it  was  determined  to  make  the  effort,  Mr.  Hull, 
the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Constitution  went  in,  at  night,  with 
one  of  the  frigate's  cutters,  and  reconnoitred.  Commodore 
Talbot  was  compelled  to  defer  the  expedition,  for  want  of  a 
craft  proper  to  avoid  suspicion,  when  fortunately  one  was 
found  by  accident.  An  American  sloop  called  the  Sally  had 
been  employed  on  the  coast  of  the  island,  under  circumstances 
that  rendered  her  liable  to  detention,  and  she  was  brought  out 
of  one  of  the  small  French  ports,  by  a  boat  of  the  frigate. 
This  sloop  had  recently  left  Port  Platte,  with  an  intention  of 
soon  returning  there,  and  she,  at  once,  afforded  all  the  facilities 
that  could  be  desired. 

Commodore  Talbot,  accordingly,  threw  a  party  of  seamen 
and  marines  into  the  Sally,  and  giving  the  command  to  Mr. 
Hull,  that  officer  was  directed  to  proceed  on  the  duty  without 
further  delay.  The  sloop  was  manned  at  sea,  to  escape  de- 
tection, and  she  sailed  at  an  hour  that  would  enable  her  to 
reach  Port  Platte,  about  noon  of  the  succeeding  day.  In  the 
course  of  the  night,  while  running  down  for  her  port,  under 
easy  sail,  a  shot  suddenly  flew  over  the  Sally,  and,  soon  after, 
an  English  frigate  ranged  up  alongside.  Mr.  Hull  hove-to, 
and  when  the  boarding  lieutenant  got  on  the  sloop's  deck, 
where  he  found  so  large  a  party  of  men  and  officers  in  naval 
uniforms,  he  was  both  startled  and  surprised.  He  was  told 
the  object  of  the  expedition,  however,  and  expressed  his  disap- 


L 


1800.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


139 


al 
Id 


i 


pointment,  as  his  own  ship  was  only  waiting  to  let  the  Sand- 
wich complete  her  cargo,  in  order  to  cut  her  out  herself! 
•  The  Sally's  movements  were  so  well  timed,  as  to  permit  her 
to  arrive  oft'  the  harbour's  mouth  at  the  proper  hour.  The 
Sandwich  was  lying  with  her  broadside  bearing  on  the  ap- 
proach, and  there  was  a  battery  at  no  great  distance  to  protect 
her.  As  soon  as  near  ewough  to  be  seen,  Mr.  Hull  sent  most 
of  his  people  below,  and  getting  an  anchor  ready  over  the 
stern,  to  bring  the  sloop  up  with,  he  stood  directly  for  the 
enemy's  bows.  So  admirably  was  every  thing  arranged,  that 
no  suspicion  was  excited,  the  Sally  ran  the  Sandwich  aboard, 
and  the  Constitution's  people  went  into  her,  and  carried  her  with- 
out the  loss  of  a  man.  At  the  same  moment,  Captain  Car- 
mick  landed  with  the  marines,  entered  the  battery,  and  spiked 
the  guns. 

Notwithstanding  a  great  commotion  on  shore,  the  Americans 
now  went  to  work  to  secure  their  prize.  The  Sandvich  was 
stripped  lo  a  girtline,  and  every  thing  was  below.  Before  sun- 
set she  had  royal  yards  across,  her  guns  were  scaled,  her  new 
Ci'ew  was  quartered,  and  soon  after  she  weighed,  beat  out  of  the 
harbour,  and  joined  the  fi  igate. 

No  enterprise  of  the  sort  was  ever  executed  with  greater 
steadiness,  or  discipline.  Mr.  Hull  gained  great  credit  by  the 
neatness  with  which  he  fulfilled  his  orders,  and  it  was  not  pos- 
sible for  an  ofticer  'o  have  been  better  sustained  ;  the  absence 
of  loss,  in  all  cases  of  surprise,  in  which  the  assailed  have  the 
means  of  resistance,  being  one  of  the  strongest  proofs  not  only 
of  tho  gallantry  and  spirit,  but  of  the  coolness  of  the  assail- 
ants. 

In  the  end,  however,  this  rapture,  which  was  clearly  illegal, 
cost  the  Constitution  dear.  Not  only  was  the  Sandwich  given 
up,  but  all  the  prize  money  of  the  cruise  went  to  pay  damages. 

Early  in  May,  the  Chesapeake  38,  went  to  sea,  under  the 
command  of  Captajp  S.  Barron.  Her  first  duty  was  to  convey 
a  quantity  of  specie  from  Charleston  to  Philadelphia,  after 
which  she  proceeded  to  cruise  between  the  coast  and  the  West- 
India  islands. 

The  Insurgente  36  had  been  given  to  Captain  Fletcher, 
when  Captain  Murray  was  t'ansferred  to  the  Constellation, 
and  in  July  she  sailed  on  a  ciuise,  with  instructions  to  keep 
between  longitudes  66°  and  68°,  and  to  run  as  far  south  as 
30°  N.  L,  After  this  ship  left  the  capes  of  Virginia,  no  au- 
thentic accounts,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  private  letters 


140 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1800. 


sent  in  by  vessels  spoken  at  sea,  were  ever  received  of  her. 
8he  had  been  ordered  to  cruise  a  short  time  in  the  latitude  and 
longitude  mentioned,  after  which  her  commander  was  lefl  at 
liberty  to  pursue  his  own  discretion,  provided  he  returned  to 
Annapolis  within  eight  weeks.  Thirty -nine  years  have  elapsed 
and  no  further  tidings  of  any  belonging  to  this  ill-fated  ship 
have  ever  reached  their  friends. 

The  Pickering  1 4,  Captain  Hillar,  also  sailed  in  August,  for 
the  Guadaloupe  station,  and  never  returned.  As  in  the  case 
6f  the  Insurgente,  all  on  Doard  perished,  no  information  that 
could  be  relied  on  ever  having  been  obtained  of  the  manner  in 
which  these  vessels  were  lost.  Vague  rumours  were  set  afloat 
at  the  time,  and  it  was  even  affirmed  that  they  had  run  foul 
of  each  other  in  a  gale,  a  tale  thac  was  substantiated  by  no 
testimony,  and  which  was  probably  untrue,  as  the  Pickering 
was  sent  to  a  station,  which  the  Insurgente,  under  discretionary 
orders,  would  be  little  apt  to  seek,  since  it  was  known  to  be 
already  filled  with  American  cruisers.  These  two  ships  swelled 
the  list  of  vessels  of  war  that  had  been  lost  in  this  manner  to 
three,  viz:  the  Saratoga  16,  the  Insurgente  36,  and  the  Pick- 
ering 14  ;  to  which  may  be  added  the  Reprisal  16,  though  the 
cook  of  the  latter  sloop  was  saved. 

The  nature  of  the  warfare,  which  was  now  confined  princi- 
pally to  chases  and  conflicts  with  small  fast-sailing  privateers, 
and  a  species  of  corsair  that  went  by  the  local  name  of  pica- 
roons, or  with  barges  that  ventured-  no  great  distance  at  sea, 
soon  satisfied  the  government  that,  to  carry  on  the  service  to 
advantage,  it  required  a  species  of  vessel  different  from  the 
heavy,  short,  sloop  of  twenty,  or  twenty-four  guns,  of  which 
so  many  were  used  in  the  beginning  of  the  contest.  Two 
schooners  had  been  built  with  this  view,  and  each  of  them 
fully  proved  their  superiority  over  the  old  clumsy  cruiser,  that 
had  been  inherited,  as  it  might  be,  from  the  Revolutioa.  One 
of  these  vessels  was  called  the  Experimei^  and  the  other  the 
Enterprise,  and  they  were  rated  at  twelve  guns.  The  modern 
improvements,  however,  did  not  extend  to  the  armaments  of 
even  these  schooners,  the  old-fashioned  six-pounder  being  still 
used,  where  an  181b.  carronade  would  now  be  introduced. 
"The  Enterprise,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Shaw,  was  very  ac- 
tive this  year,  capturing  la  Citoyenne,  privateer,  of  6  guns  and 
47  men ;  la  Seine  6,  and  5T  men ;  I'Aig)'^  10,  and  78  men ; 
la  Pauline  6,  and  40  men  ;  ind  la  Guadaloupeenne  7,  and  45 
men.     Most  of  these  vessels  resisted,  though  neither  was  of  a 


i 


1800.J 


NAV^L     HISTORY 


141 


for 


ac- 
and 
en; 

45 

fa 


force  to  afford  much  hope  of  success.  La  Citoyenne  had  4 
killed  and  11  wounded  before  she  struck;  la  Seine  made  an 
obstinate  resis  ancc,  holding  out  until  she  had  24  of  her  crew 
killed  and  wounded,  which  was  near  half  her  complement ; 
and  I'Aigle  lost  12  men,  among  whom  was  her  first  lieutenant, 
in  an  action  of  fifteen  minutes.  In  the  last  affair  the  Enter- 
prise had  three  men  killed  and  wounded. 

Near  the  close  of  her  cruise,  the  Enterprise  made  a  strange 
sail  a  long  distance  to  windward,  late  in  the  day,  and  hauled 
up  for  her.  Night  coming  on,  the  chase  was  lost  sight  of  in 
the  darkness,  when  the  schooner  hove-to,  to  keep  her  station. 
When  the  day  dawned  the  stranger,  a  brig,  was  seen  to  wind- 
ward as  before,  and  nearly  in  the  position  in  which  she  had 
last  been  observed.  Both  vessels  now  discovered  a  disposition 
to  close.  M  noon  the  Enterprise  made  the  American  signal, 
which  was  not  answered,  the  brig  showing  English  colours. 
The  signals  that  had  been  established  between  the  English  and 
the  American  commanders  were  next  shown,  but  the  stranger 
could  not  reply.  Believing  the  brig  to  be  an  enemy  of  a  force 
at  least  equal  to  his  own,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Shaw  nov/ 
set  his  ensign  as  a  challenge  to  come  down,  but,  instead  of 
complying,  the  chase  immediately  hauled  his  wind.  The  En- 
terprise began  turning  to  windward  on  short  tacks,  and  sailing 
uncommonly  fast,  it  was  soon  apparent  that  the  enemy  would 
be  overhauled. 

As  soon  as  the  French  were  satisfied  that  escape  was  im- 
possible, they  cleuicu  for  action,  and  waiting  until  the  Enter- 
prise was  within  half  a  mile  to  leeward,  they  began  to  fire. 
Instead  of  returning  a  gun.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Shaw 
kept  the  schooner  under  all  her  canvass,  and,  about  half  an 
hour  after  the  brig  had  opened  on  him,  he  tacked  in  her 
wake,  and  ranged  up  handsomely  under  her  lee,  within  pistol- 
shot.  As  her  guns  bore,  the  Enterprise  now  poured  in  a  close 
and  destructive  fire,  which  lasted  for  a  little  more  than  an  hour, 
when  the  brig's  fore-topmnst  being  shot  away,  and  the  vessel 
otherwise  seriously  injured,  she  struck. 

The  prize  was  the  Flambeau  privateer.  She  mounted  14 
guns,  and  had  more  than  100  men.  Her  loss  was  very  heavy, 
about  half  her  crew  having  been  killed  and  wounded.  The 
Enterprise  had  3  men  killed  and  7  wounded.  This  little  affair 
was  considered  one  of  the  warmest  combats  of  ti;e  war,  and 
it  is  seldom  that  so  sharp  a  conflict  occurs  between  vessels  of 
so  small  a  force. 


142 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1800. 


Lieutenant  Shaw  was  justly  applauded  for  his  activity  while 
in  command  of  this  schooner,  recapturing  eleven  American 
vessels,  besides  taking  those  just  mentioned,  in  a  cruise  of  only 
eight  months.  It  was  a  proof  of  the  greater  efficiency  of  this 
description  of  vessel  than  any  other,  in  a  warfare  of  such  a 
nature,  that  the  Enterprise,  a  schooner  of  only  165  tons,  car. 
rying  an  armament  of  12  light  guns,  and  with  a  crew  that 
varied  from  60  to  75  men,  destroyed  more  of  the  enen.  ''s  pri- 
vateers, and  afforded  as  much  protection  to  the  trade  of  the 
country^  as  any  frigate  employed  in  the  war. 

In  March,  the  Boston  28,  Captain  Little,  being  near  the 
Point  of  St.  Marks,  having  a  merchant  brig  in  tow,  on  her 
way  to  Port-au-Prince,  nine  barges  were  discovered  pulling 
towards  the  vessels,  coming  from  the  small  island  of  Gonaives, 
with  every  appearance  of  hostile  intentions.  The  .barges  were 
large,  as  usual,  pulled  20  oars,  and  contained  from  30  to  40 
men  each.  As  soon  as  their  characters  were  properly  made 
out,  the  guns  of  the  Boston  were  housed,  and  the  ship  was  other- 
wise disguised.  This  stratagem  succeeded  so  far  as  to  draw 
the  barges  within  gun-shot ;  but  discovering  their  mistake  be- 
fore they  got  as  near  as  could  be  wished,  they  turned  and  be- 
gan to  retreat.  The  Boston  now  cast  off  her  tow,  made  sail 
in  chase,  ran  out  her  guns,  and  opened  her  fire.  For  two 
hours  she  was  enabled  to  keep  some  of  the  barges  within 
reach  of  her  shot,  and  three  of  them,  with  all  their  crews, 
were  sunk.  The  remainder  did  not  escape  without  receiving 
more  or  less  injury. 

After  this  punishment  of  the  picaroons,  which  were  often 
guilty  of  the  grossest  excesses,  the  Boston,  having  been  home 
to  refit,  was  directed  to  cruise  a  short  time,  previously  to  go- 
ing on  the  Guadeloupe  station  again,  between  the  American 
coast  and  the  West-India  islands.  While  in  the  discharge  of 
this  duty,  November,  1800,  in  lat.  22°  50'  N.,  and  long.  51° 
W.,  she  made  a  French  cruiser,  which,  instead  of  avoiding 
her,  evidently  sought  an  encounter.  Both  parties  being  will- 
ing,  the  ships  were  soon  in  close  action,  when,  after  a  plain, 
hard-fought,  combat  of  two  hours,  the  enemy  struck.  The 
prize  proved  to  be  the  French  corvette  le  Berceau,  Captain 
Senes,  mounting  24  guns,  and  with  a  crew  a  little  exceeding 
200  men.  The  Berceau  was  much  cut  up,  and  shortly  after 
the  action  her  fore  and  main-masts  went.  Her  loss  in  killed 
and  wounded  was  never  ascertained,  but  from  the  number  of 
the  latter  found  in  her,  it  was  probably  between  30  and  40 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


143 


men.  Among  the  former  were  her  first  lieutenant,  master, 
boatswain,  and  gunner.  The  Boston  mounted  eight  more  light 
guns  than  the  Berceau,  and  had  about  an  equal  number  of 
men.  She  had  4  killed  and  11  wounded.  Among  the  latter 
was  her  purser,  Mr.  Young,  who  died  of  his  injuries.  The 
Berceau  was  a  singularly  fine  vessel  of  her  class,  and  had  the 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  fastest  ships  in  the  French  ma- 
rine. Like  the  combat  between  the  Constellation  and  I'lnsur- 
gente,  the  superiority  of  force  wps  certainly  in  favour  of  the 
American  ship,  on  this  occasion,  but  the  execution  was  every 
way  in  proportion  to  the  difference. 

The  year  1800  was  actively  employed  on  both  sides  in  the 
West-Indies,  for  while  the  force  of  the  French  in  vessels  of 
war  seemed  to  decrease,  as  those  of  England  and  America 
increased,  the  privateers  still  abounded.  A  great  many  Ame- 
rican merchantmen  were  captured,  and  the  recaptures  also 
amounted  to  a  number  that  it  is  now  difficult  to  ascertain,  but 
which  is  known  to  have  been  large.  Most  of  the  privateers 
>'ere  small  schooners,  filled  with  men,  sufficient  to  subdue  a 
letter  of  marque  by  boarding ;  but,  as  they  offered  no  resist- 
ance to  any  of  the  cruisers  except  the  smallest,  a  brief  cata- 
logue of  the  prizes  taken  by  the  different  large  vessels,  will  at 
once  give  an  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  service  that  was  per- 
formed  by  the  West-India  squadrons  during  this  year.  The 
Baltimore  20,  Captain  Cowper,  took  la  Brilliante  Jeunesse  12, 
with  a  crew  of  62  men,  and  a  vessel  whose  name  is  not  known ; 
the  Merrimack  24,  Captain  Brown,  the  Phenix  14,  with  128 
men ;  the  Connecticut  24,  Captain  Tryon,  le  Piege  2,  with  50 
men,  I'Unite  1,  with  50  men,  and  le  Chou  Chou ;  the  Boston 
28,  Captain  Little,  la  Fortune,  I'Heureux,  and  an  open  boat ; 
Pickering  14,  Captain  Hillar,  la  Voltigeuse  10,  with  60  men, 
the  Fly,  and  1' Active  12,  with  60  men ;  Boston  32,  in  compa- 
ny with  different  vessels,  the  Flying  Fish,  la  Gourde,  le  Peli- 
can, and  I'Espoir ;  Herald  18  and  Augusta  14,  la  Mutine  6, 
with  60  men ;  John  Adams  28,  Captain  Cross,  le  Jason,  with 
60  men,  la  Decade ;  the  Trumbull  24,  Captain  Jewett,  la  Peg- 
gie, la  Vengeance  10,  and  la  TuUie;  Enterprise  12,  Lieuten- 
ant Commandant  Sterrett,  I'Amour  de  la  Patrie  6,  with  72 
men;  the  Patapsco  18,  Captain  Geddes,  Ir.  Dorade  6,  with 
46  men ;  the  Adams  28,  Captain  Morris,  I'Heureuse  Rencon- 
tre 4,  with  50  men,  le  Gambeau,  4  swivels  and  16  men,  la 
Renommee,  the  Dove,  and  le  Massena  6,  with  49  men.  Sev- 
eral c{  the  frigates  also  made  prizes  of  different  small  priva- 


144 


NAVAL     H  I  B  T  O  U  Y 


li»uo. 


leers,  barces,  and  boats ;  and  many  vessels  were  chased  on 
shore,  and  cither  destroyed  by  boats  or  were  bilged  in  striking. 
The  privateers  take.i  and  brought  into  port,  during  the  years 
1798,  1709,  and  1800,  amounted  in  all  to  rather  more  than 
fifty  sail.  To  these  must  bo  added  several  letters  of  marque. 
But  few  merchant  ships  were  taken,  the  French  venturing  but 
little  on  the  ocean,  except  in  fast-sailing  armed  vessels.  Still, 
some  valuable  prizes  of  this  nature  were  made,  and  several 
ships  of  this  class  were  driven  ashore  among  the  islands. 

The  constant  changes  that  occurred  among  the  commanders 
of  the  different  vessels,  render  it  difficult  to  give  clear  accounts 
of  the  movements  of  both.  These  changes  were  owing  to  tlio 
rapidity  and  irregularities  of  the  promotions  in  an  infant  ser- 
vice, officers  who  went  out  at  the  commencement  of  the  sea- 
son lieutenants,  in  many  instances,  returning  home  captains, 
at  its  close.  In  short,  the  officers,  like  the  crews,  were  con- 
stantly passing  from  vessel  to  vessel,  several  serving  in  two  or 
three  ships  in  as  many  years. 

The  Experiment  12,  made  her  first  cruise  under  the  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Commandant  Maley,  and  was  much  em- 
ployed in  convoying  through  the  narrow  passages,  where  tno 
vessels  were  exposed  to  attacks  from  large  barges  manned 
from  the  shores.  About  the  close  of  the  yeicr  1799,  or  at  the 
commencement  of  1800,  this  schooner  was  becalmed  in  the 
Bight  of  Leogane,  with  several  sail  of  American  merchantmen 
in  company  and  under  convoy.  While  ihe  little  fleet  lay  in 
this  helpless  condition,  a  good  deal  scattered,  ten  of  the  barges 
mentioned,  filled  with  negroes  and  mulattoes,  came  out  against 
it.  The  barges  contained  from  30  to  40  men  each,  who  were 
armed  with  muskets,  cutlasses,  and  pikes,  and  in  some  of  the 
boats  were  light  guns  and  swivels.  As  the  Experiment  was 
partially  disguised,  the  enemy  came  withi. »  reach  of  her  grape 
before  the  assault  was  made,  when  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Maley  ran  out  his  gtaaft  wad  opened  his  fire.  This  was  the 
commencement  of  5i  Im^  aoMict,  in  which  the  barges  were 
beaten  off.  It  was  not  in  the  power  of  the  Experiment,  how- 
ever, to  prevent  the  ^;nemy  from  seizing:  two  of  her  convoy, 
which  had  drifted  to  such  a  distance  as  to  be  beyond  protec- 
tion. A  thiro  vessel  was  also  boarded,  )ut  from  her  the  brig- 
ands were  driven  by  gi-Ape,  tho'.gh  not  i  ntil  they  had  murder- 
ed her  master  and  pliimdereu  ib»^  cabin. 

The  barges  went  twice  to  the  shore,  landed  their  killed  and 
wounded,  ,  nd  took  on  board  reanforcements  of  men.     The 


I- 


IHOO.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


145 


and 
The 


second  attack  they  mado  was  directed  especially  at  the  Ex- 
periment, there  beiuK  no  less  than  three  divisions  of  the  enemy, 
cucli  of  which  contained  three  heavy  barges.  But,  afler  a  pro- 
tracted engagement,  which,  with  the  intermissions,  lasted  seven 
hours,  the  enemy  abandoned  further  designs  on  this  convoy, 
and  retreated  in  disorder.  The  Experiment  endeavoured  to 
follow,  by  means  of  her  sweeps,  but  finding  that  Pome  of  the 
more  distant  of  the  barges  threatened  two  of  her  convoy  that 
had  drilled  out  of  gun-shot,  she  was  obliged  to  give  up  the 
chase. 

In  this  arduous  and  protracted  engagement  the  Experiment 
was  fought  with  spirit,  and  handled  with  skill.  The  total  ab- 
sence of  wind  gave  the  enemy  every  advantage ;  but  notwith- 
standing their  vast  superiority  in  numbers,  they  did  not  dare 
to  close.  Two  of  the  barges  were  sunk,  and  their  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  was  known  to  have  been  heavy,  while  the 
Experiment  had  but  two  wounded,  one  of  whom  was  Lieutenant 
David  Porter. 

Shortly  ailer  this  affair,  the  command  of  the  Experiment  was 
given  to  Lieutenant  Charles  Stewart,  late  of  the  United  States 
44.  Not  long  after  he  had  got  upon  his  station,  this  officer 
fell  in  with,  and  took,  after  a  slight  resistance,  the  French 
privateer  les  Deux  Amis,  of  8  guns,  and  between  40  and  50 
men.     The  Deux  Amis  was  sent  in. 

About  a  month  after  this  occurrence,  while  cruising  on  her 
station,  the  tlA^ieriment  made  two  sail,  which  had  the  appear- 
ance of  euKim  %  cruisers.  The  Frenchmen  were  a  brig  of 
18  guns.  %ncl  a  three-masted  schooner  of  14,  and  they  gave 
chase  to  the  American.  Lieutenant-Commandant  Stewart, 
having  soon  satisfied  himself  of  the  superior  sailing  of  his  own 
vessel,  manoeuvred  in  a  way  to  separate  the  enemy,  and  to 
keep  them  at  a  distance  until  after  dark.  At  length,  finding 
that  tbe  Frenchmen  had  given  up  the  chase,  and  that  the  brig 
was  about  a  league  ahead  of  the  schooner,  he  cleared  for  ac- 
tion, closed  with  the  latter,  by  running  up  on  her  weather 
quarter,  and  gave  her  a  broadside.  The  attack  was  so  vigo^ 
ous  and  close,  that  the  enemy  struck  in  a  few  minutes.  Throw- 
ing his  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  David  Porter,  into  the  prize,  Lieu- 
tenant-Commandant Stewart  immediately  made  sail  after  the 
brig ;  but  she  had  gained  so  much  ahead,  during  the  time  lost 
with  the  schooner,  that  she  was  soon  abandoned,  and  the  Ex- 
periment returned  to  her  prize,  which  she  carried  into  St.  Kitts. 
18 


146 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1800. 


Mr.  Stewart  probably  owed  his  success  to  the  boldness  of  his 
mancBuvres,  as  the  brig  was  of  a  force  sufficient  to  capture 
him  in  a  few  minutes. 

The  vessel  taken  by  the  Experiment  proved  to  be  the  French 
man-of-war  schooner  la  Diane,  Lieutenant  Perradcau,  of  14 
guns,  and  about  60  men.  She  was  bound  to  France,  with 
General  Rigaud  on  board  ;  and  in  addition  to  her  regular  crew, 
30  invalid  soldiers  had  been  put  in  her,  having  served  their 
time  in  the  islands.  Her  commander  had  been  the  first  lieu- 
tenant of  I'Insurgente,  and  the  prize-officer  of  the  Retaliation. 

Returning  to  her  station,  the  Experiment  had  next  a  combat 
that  was  of  a  less  agreeable  nature.  A  suspicious  sail  had 
been  made  in  the  course  of  the  day,  and  chase  was  given  until 
dark.  Calculating  the  courses  and  distances,  Lieutenant-Com- 
mandant Stewart  ordered  the  Experiment  to  be  kept  in  the  re- 
quired direction  until  midnight,  when,  if  he  did  not  close  with 
the  stranger,  he  intended  to  give  up  the  chase.  At  that  hour, 
the  schooner  was  hauled  by  the  wind,  accordingly ;  but,  in  a  few 
minutes,  a  sail  was  seen  quite  near,  and  to  windward.  The 
Experiment  went  to  quarters,  ran  up  under  the  stranger's  lee, 
and  hailed.  Finding  the  other  vessel  indisposed  to  give  an 
answer,  Lieutenant-Commandant  Stewart  ordered  a  gun  fired 
into  him,  which  was  returned  by  a  broadsfde.  A  sharp  action 
now  commenced,  but,  it  blowing  heavily,  and  the  schooner 
lying  over,  it  was  found  impossible  to  depress  the  guns  suffi- 
ciently to  hull  the  enemy.  Planks  were  cut  and  placed  be- 
neath the  trucks  of  the  gun-carriages,  when  the  shot  of  the 
Experiment  told  with  so  much  effect,  that  her  antagonist 
struck.  Mr.  Porter,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Experiment, 
was  directed  to  take  possession  of  the  prize,  but,  on  getting 
alongside,  he  was  refused  permission  to  board.  As  soon  as 
this  was  known  in  the  schooner,  the  boat  was  directed  to  pull 
out  of  the  line  of  fire,  with  a  view  to  re-commence  the  action, 
when  the  stranger  hailed  to  say  he  submitted. 

This  vessol  proved  to  be  a  privateer  called  the  Louisa 
Bridger,  out  of  Bermuda,  with  an  armament  of  8  nine-pound- 
ers, and  a  crew  of  between  40  and  50  men.  She  was  much 
cut  up,  and  had  four  feet  water  in  her  hold  when  she  surren- 
dered.    Her  captain  was  among  the  wounded. 

As  soon  as  the  nature  of  this  unfortunate  mistake  was 
known,  every  aid  was  afforded  the  privateer,  the  Experiment 
lying  ty  her  all  next  day,  to  assist  in  repairing  her  damages. 


1800-01.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


147 


The  Experiment  received  a  good  deal  of  injury  in  her  rigging, 
and  had  one  man  killed,  and  a  boy  wounded. 

Active  negotiations  had  commenced,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
1800  the  hopes  of  peace  became  so  strong,  that  the  efforts  to 
increase  the  navy  were  sensibly  relaxed,  and  the  sailing  of 
many  ships,  that  had  been  intended  for  distant  stations,  was 
suspended. 

Negotiations  for  peace  with  France  had  been  going  on  at 
Paris,  and  a  treaty  to  that  effect  was  ratified  by  the  Senate,  on 
the  3d  of  February,  1801.  All  the  necessary  forms  having 
been  complied  with  on  both  sides,  the  Herald  18,  Captain  Rus- 
sel,  was  sent  to  the  West-Indies,  with  orders  of  recall  for  the 
whole  fcTce. 

Thus  v-jnded  the  short  and  irregular  struggle  with  France, 
in  which  f  he  present  marine  of  the  United  States  was  founded, 
most  of  the  senior  officers  now  in  service  having  commenced 
their  careers  as  midshipmen  during  its  existence. 

The  commencement  of  the  year  1801,  was  distinguished  by 
a  change  of  administration,  for  the  first  time  since  the  adoption 
of  the  constitution ;  Mr.  Jefferson  and  his  political  friends,  who 
were  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the  republican  party,  ex- 
pelling the  federalists  from  power.  A  president  of  the  United 
States,  however,  is  little  more  than  an  executive  officer  while 
confined  to  the  circle  of  his  constitutional  duties ;  and  the 
Congress  that  terminated  on  the  4th  of  March,  1801,  the  day 
the  change  occurred,  had  passed  a  law,  in  some  measure  regu- 
lating a  peace  establishment  for  the  navy.  This  law  gave 
great  discretionary  authority  to  the  president,  it  is  true ;  for  it 
empowered  him,  whenever  he  should  deem  it  expedient,  to  sell 
any,  or  all  of  the  vessels  of  the  navy,  with  the  exception  of 
thirteen  of  the  frigates,  which  were  named  in  the  act,  if,  in  his 
opinion  the  good  of  the  country  might  require  it.  To  this  part 
of  the  law  no  great  objections  could  be  taken,  even  by  the 
friends  of  an  enlarged  and  liberal  policy,  as  most  of  the  vessels 
not  excepted  had  been  bought  into,  and  were  unsuited  to  the 
service,  more  especially  at  a  period,  when  new  improvements 
in  naval  architecture,  that  had  been  borrowed  from  the  French, 
were  fast  superseding  the  old  mode  of  construction. 

The  law  also  directed  the  guns  and  stores  of  the  vessels  sold 
to  be  preserved ;  a  provision  that  proved  singularly  unprofita- 
ble in  the  end,  as  the  carronade  now  began  to  supersede  the 
small  long  gun,  and  two  of  the  sloops  would  probably  have 


\ 


148  NAVAL     HISTORY.  [1801. 

furnished  all  the  nines  and  sixes  that  have  been  used  in  the  navy 
for  the  last  five-and-thirty  years.  The  great  error  of  this  law 
was  in  the  limitation  it  set  to  the  number  of  the  different  ranks 
of  officers.  The  whole  of  the  sea-officers,  sailing-masters  ex- 
cepted, were  confined  to  nine  captains,  thirty-six  lieutenants, 
and  one  hundred  and  fifty  midshipmen ;  the  rank  of  master 
commandant  being  abolished,  should  the  president  see  fit  to  dis- 
charge those  then  in  commission.  The  phraseology,  as  well 
as  the  provisions  of  this  law,  betrayed  that  ignorance  of  the 
details  of  the  service,  which  has  been  so  common  in  the  legis- 
lation of  the  country,  omitting  many  directions  that  were  indis- 
pensable in  practice,  and  laying  stress  on  others  that  were  of 
little  or  no  moment. 

The  administration  of  1801  exercised  its  authority  under  the 
statute,  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  was  enacted  previously 
to  its  accession  to  office,  with  a  reasonable  discretion ;  and 
though  it  may  have  made  a  few  of  those  mistakes  that  are  in- 
cidental to  the  discharge  of  all  such  trusts,  it  conformed  to  the 
spirit  of  the  law,  with  a  due  regard  to  liberality.  The  selec- 
tion of  the  officers  to  be  retained  was  one  of  great  delicacy  and 
importance,  as  the  future  character  of  the  navy  depended  more 
on  the  proper  discharge  of  this  duty  than  on  that  of  any  other. 
The  great  defect  of  the  law,  indeed,  was  the  narrow  limits  to 
which  the  list  of  the  superior  sea-officers  was  confined,  it  being 
at  all  times  easier  to  build  ships,  than  to  form  professional  men 
fit  to  command  them.  This  part  of  his  delegated  duties  the 
president  discharged  in  perfect  good  faith,  apparently  altogethet* 
disregarding  party  considerations. 

Although  some  meritorious  officers  were  necessarily  dis- 
missed, on  this  occasion,  there  is  no  question  that  the  navy 
was  greatly  benefited  by  the  reduction ;  the  hurried  manner 
in  which  the  appointments  were  originally  made,  having  been 
the  means  of  introducing  many  persons  into  the  service  who 
were  unfitted  for  its  duties. 

The  law  of  Congress  directed  that  thirteen  vessels,  named 
in  the  act,  should  not  be  disposed  of,  leaving  it  discretionary 
with  the  president  to  sell  the  remainder  or  not.  The  following 
ships  were  retained,  viz : 

Constitution 44, 

United  States 44, 

President 44, 


1801.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


149 


Congress 38, 

Constellation 38,  ' 

Chesapeake 88, 

Philadelphia 88, 

New  York 36, 

Essex ..82, 

Greneral  Greene 28, 

Boston 28, 

Adams 28, 

John  Adams 28, 

Enterprise 12. 

The  reduction  of  the  navy  was  greatly  exaggerated  at  the 
time,  so  far  as  the  vessels  alone  were  concerned.  At  the  peace 
with  France,  the  cruising  vessels  in  the  service  were  thirty- 
four  in  number,  and  of  these,  fourteen  of  the  best  were  retained. 
No  frigate,  unless  the  George  Washington  could  be  considered 

.  J  was  sold,  and  this  ship  had  been  purchased  into  the  ser- 
\  :>..■..  and  not  built  for  the  public.  As  regards  force,  materially 
.-.ji-e  than  one-half,  perhaps  four-fifths,  was  preserved,  the 
eight  largest  frigates  retained  being  more  than  strong  enough 
to  contend  with  all  the  vessels  sold. 


13* 


\ 


r 


150 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


ri8oi. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

We  have  now  reached  the  period  when  the  American 
marine  assumed  a  fixed  and  permanent  character.  No  more 
reductions  were  anticipated  by  those  who  understood  the  ne- 
cessities of  the  country,  nor  have  any  ever  been  seriously  at- 
tempted. 

As  early  as  in  ^  800,  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  Jussuf  Cara- 
malJi,  who  had  deposed  his  brother  Hamet,  and  now  sat  on 
the  throne  of  this  dependency  of  the  Porte,  manifested  a  dispo- 
sition to  war.  He  had  learned  the  concessions  made  to  Al- 
giers, the  manner  in  which  the  Dey  ot  that  regency  had  been 
bribed  to  do  justice,  and,  by  a  course  of  reasoning  that  was 
certainly  plausible,  if  not  true,  he  inferred  that  the  government 
which  had  been  induced  to  pay  tribute  to  one  pi^'ate,  might  be 
induced  to  pay  tribute  to  another.  The  complaints  on  which 
this  semblance  of  royalty  grounded  his  justification  for  war, 
are  such  as  ought  to  be  generally  known.  He  accused  the 
American  government  of  having  bribed  the  subordinates  of 
Tunis  at  a  higher  price  than  it  had  bribed  him ;  he  added,  that 
Algiers  had  received  a  frigate,  while  he  had  received  none ; 
and  even  in  u  letter  to  the  president  he  said  significantly,  in 
reply  to  some  of  the  usual  diplomatic  professions  of  friendship, 
"  we  could  wish  that  these  your  expressions  were  followed  by 
deeds,  and  not  by  empty  v/ords.  You  will  therefore  endea- 
vour to  satisfy  us  by  a  good  manner  of  proceeding" — "  But  if 
only  flattering  words  are  meant,  without  performance,  every 
one  will  act  as  he  finds  convenient.  We  beg  a  speedy  answer, 
without  neglect  of  time,  as  a  delay  on  your  part  cannot  but  be 
prejudicial  to  your  interests." 

Shortly  after,  the  Bashaw  informed  the  American  consul  at 
Tripoli,  that  he  would  wait  six  months  for  a  present  in  money, 
and  if  it  did  not  arrive  within  that  time,  he  would  formally 
declare  war  against  the  United  States.  Jussuf  Caramalli  was 
as  good  as  his  word.  No  tidings  of  the  money  having  reached 
Tripoli,  the  flag-staff  of  the  American  consulate  was  cut  down 
on  the  14th  of  May,  1801,  and  war  was  proclaimed  in  the  act. 

While  Tripoli  went  so  directly  to  work,  difficulties  existed 
with  the  other  states  of  Barbary.     Algiers  complained  that  the 


1801.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


151 


tribute  was  in  arrears,  anJ  Tunis  found  fault  with  the  quality 
of  various  articles  that  had  been  sent  to  her,  by  way  of  bribing 
her  not  to  seize  American  vessels.  Certain  planks  and  oars 
were  too  short,  and  guns  of  a  particular  description  were  much 
wanted.  Morocco  was  also  distrusted,  although  the  prince  of 
that  coijntry  had  not  yet  deigned  to  intimate  his  wishes. 

Timid  as  was  the  policy  of  the  United  States,  and  disgrace- 
ful as  was  that  of  all  Christendom,  at  that  period,  in  reference 
to  the  Barbary  powers,  the  former  was  too  much  flushed  with 
its  recent  successes  against  France,  and  too  proud  of  its  infant 
marine,  to  submit  to  all  these  exactions  without  resistance. 
Before  it  was  known  that  Tripoli  had  actually  declared  war,  a 
squadron  was  ordered  to  be  fitted  for  the  Mediterranean,  with 
a  view  to  awe  the  different  sovereigns  of  Barbary,  by  its 
presence.  The  vessels  selected  for  this  purpose  consisted  of 
the  President  44,  Captain  J.  Barron ;  Philadelphia  38,  Captain 
S.  Barron;  Essex  32,  Captain  Bainbridge,  and  Enterprise  12, 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Sterrett.  At  the  head  of  this  force 
was  Captain  Dale,  an  officer  whose  career  we  have  had  fre- 
quent occasion  to  notice,  and  who  now  hoisted  his  broad  pen- 
nant in  the  President  44. 

The  ships  rendezvoused  in  Hampton  Roads,  and  sailed  for 
their  place  of  destination.  On  the  1st  of  July  they  anchored 
at  Gibraltar,  where  they  found  the  Tripolitan  admiral,  a  rene- 
gado  of  the  name  of  Lisle,  in  a  ship  of  26  guns,  with  a  brig 
of  16,  in  company.  There  is  no  question  that  the  timely 
appearance  of  the  American  squadron  prevented  these  two 
vessels  from  getting  into  the  Atlantic,  where  they  might  have 
struck  a  se"ere  blow  at  the  commerce  of  the  country.  The 
admiral,  however,  protested  there  was  no  war,  though  the 
information  derived  from  other  sources,  induced  Commodore 
Dale  to  distrust  his  sincerity.  The  Essex  was  sent  along  the 
lurth  shore  to  collect  the  American  trade,  and  to  give  it  con- 
voy ;  the  Philadelphia  was  ordered  to  cruise  in  the  straits  to 
watch  the  two  Tripolitans,  while  the  President  and  Enterprise 
shaped  their  course  towards  Algiers,  as  ordered.  'I'he  latter, 
however,  soon  parted  company  from  the  President  on  duty. 

The  appearance  of  a  ship  of  the  President's  force  at  Algiers 
and  Tunis,  had  an  extremely  quieting  effect  on  the  resentments 
of  their  two  princes  ;  and  Mr.  O'Brien,  the  consul  at  the  former 
regency,  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  the  arrival  of  the  squadron 
in  the  Mediterranean,  had  more  weight  in  preserving  the  peace, 


152 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1801. 


than  if  the  George  Washington,  which  vessel  was  soon  ex- 
pected, had  come  in  with  the  tribute. 

On  the  lEt  of  August,  while  running  for  Malta,  the  Enter- 
prise  1?  ^  ieutenant  Commandant  Stcrrett,  fell  in  with  and 
spoke  c  acre-rigged  ship  of  14  guns  and  60  men,  belonging 
to  Trip.  ,,  inat  was  known  to  be  out  on  a  cruise  against  the 
Americnn  commerce.  Running  close  alongside,  an  action  was 
commenced  within  pistol-shot,  and  it  continued  with  little  in- 
termission for  three  hours,  when  the  Turk  submitted.  During 
the  combat,  however,  the  Tripoiitan  struck  three  several  times, 
twice  re-hoisting  his  colours,  and  opening  his  fire  again,  when 
he  thought  an  advantage  might  be  obtained  by  attacking  the 
Americans  unprepared.  Irritated  by  this  treachery,  on  the 
last  occasion  the  Enterprise  resumed  her  fire,  with  an  intention 
to  sink  her  opponent,  but  afler  some  further  though  fruitless 
resistance,  the  Turkish  captain  appeared  in  the  waist  of  his 
ship,  and  threw  his  ensign  into  the  sea,  bending  his  body  and 
supplicating  for  quarter  by  signs,  when  the  fire  of  the  schooner 
was  stopped. 

The  name  of  the  captured  ship  was  the  Tripoli,  and  that  of 
her  rais,  or  commander,  Mahomet  Sous.  Although  the  Turks 
showed  courage  —  desperation  would  be  a  better  term  —  this 
first  trial  of  skill  with  their  trans-atlantic  enemies  was  far  from 
creditable  to  them.  The  Enterprise  raked  her  enemy  repeat- 
edly, and  the  consequences  were  dreadfully  apparent  in  the 
result,  50  of  the  corsair's  people  having  been  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  battle.  The  ship  herself  was  a  wreck,  and 
her  mizzen-mast  was  shot  away.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
Enterprise  sustained  but  little  injury  even  alofl,  and  had  not  a 
man  hurt.     Neither  did  she  sufier  materially  in  her  hull. 

The  instructions  of  Lieutenant  Sterrett  did  not  permit  him 
to  carry  the  Tripoli  in,  and  Lieutenant  David  Porter  took  pos- 
session, and  proceeded  to  dismantle  her.  Her  armament  was 
thrown  overboard,  and  she  was  stripped  of  every  thing  but  one 
old  sail,  and  a  single  spar,  that  were  left  to  enable  her  to  reach 
port.  Aftc  r  attending  to  the  wounded,  the  prize  was  aban- 
doned, and  it  is  understood  a  long  time  elapsed  before  she 
got  in.  When  her  unfortunate  rais  appeared  in  Tripoli,  even 
his  wounds  did  not  avail  him.  He  was  placed  on  a  jackass, 
paraded  through  the  streets,  and  received  the  bastinado.  The 
eflfect  of  this  punishment  appears  to  have  been  diflferent  from 
what  was  expected,  for  it  is  said  the  panic  among  the  sailors 
became  so  great,  in  consequence,  that  it  was  found  difficult  to 


1801. J 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


153 


obtain  men  for  the  corsairs  that  were  then  fitting  for  sea. 
One  thing  is  certain,  that,  though  this  war  lasted  three  years, 
and  in  the  end  became  both  spirited  and  active,  very  few  Tri- 
politan  cruisers  ventured  from  port  during  its  continuance ;  or 
if  they  quitted  port,  they  were  cautious  to  an  extreme  about 
venturing  from  the  land. 

The  President  appeared  off  Tripoli  on  the  24th  of  August, 
when  an  ineffectual  attempt  was  made  to  establish  a  truce. 
Remaining  eighteen  days  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town,  and  dis- 
covering no  movement  in  or  about  the  port.  Commodore  Dale 
ran  down  the  coast  some  distance,  when  he  crossed  over  to 
Malta,  in  order  to  water  his  ship.  As  soon  as  this  necessary 
duty  was  performed,  the  President  returned  to  Tripoli,  and  on 
the  30th  of  August,  she  overhauled  a  Greek  ship  bound  in, 
with  a  cargo  of  merchandise  and  provisions.  On  board  this 
vessel  was  an  officer  and  twenty  Tripolitan  soldiers  besides 
twenty  other  subjects  of  the  regency.  All  these  persons  were 
taken  on  board  the  frigate,  and  an  attempt  was  made,  by 
means  of  this  lucky  capture,  to  establish  a  system  of  exchange. 
The  negotiations  were  carried  on  through  Mr.  Nissen,  the 
Danish  consul,  a  gentleman  whose  name,  by  means  of  his  be- 
nevolence, philanthropy,  and  probity,  has  become  indissolubly 
connected  with  the  history  of  the  American  marine. 

It  was  soon  discovered  that  the  Bashaw  cared  very  little 
about  his  subjects,  as  he  declai*ed  that  he  would  not  exchange 
one  American  for  all  the  soldiers.  There  was  a  little  of  the 
art  of  the  negotiator  in  this,  however,  as  he  agreed  in  the  end 
to  give  three  Americans  for  all  the  soldiers,  the  officer  in- 
cluded, and  three  more  for  eight  of  the  merchants,  disclaiming 
the  remaining  six  merchants  as  his  subjects.  Commodore 
Dale  appears  to  have  become  disgusted  with  this  unworthy 
mode  of  bargaining,  C->c  he  sent  his  prisoners  on  board  the 
Greek  again,  and  allowed  the  ship  to  go  into  Tripoli,  relin- 
quishing his  claim  on  the  merchants  altogether  as  non-com- 
batants, and  consenting  to  take  the  three  Americans  for  the 
soldiers. 

Finding  it  necessary  to  go  down  to  Gibraltar,  the  commo- 
dore now  left  Tripoli,  and  proceeded  direct  to  the  former  place. 
He  was  soon  succeeded  by  the  Essex,  which  also  appeared  off 
the  different  Barbary  ports. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  two  Tripolitan  cruisers  at  Gibraltar, 
on  its  being  ascertained  that  it  was  impossible  lor  them  to  get 
out  while  they  were  so  closely  watched,  were  dismantled,  and 


! 


f 


154 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1802. 


their  crews  were  privately  sent  across  to  Tetuan  in  boats,  to 
find  their  way  home  by  land;  men  enough  being  lefl  to 
take  care  of  the  ships,  and  to  navigate  them,  should  an  oppor- 
tunity occur  to  get  to  sea.  The  Bashaw  complained  loudly 
of  the  blockade,  as  an  innovation  on  the  received  mode  of 
warfare ;  and  the  governments  of  Algiers  and  Tunis,  which 
appeared  to  distrust  the  precedent,  manifested  a  disposition  to 
join  in  the  protest.  The  Dey  of  Algiers  even  went  so  far  as 
to  ask  passports  for  the  crews  of  the  two  vessels  at  Gibraltar, 
with  a  view  to  aid  his  neighbour ;  but  the  request  was  denied. 

The  return  of  Commodore  Dale's  squadron  was  ordered  to 
take  place  on  the  1st  of  December,  at  the  latest ;  but  discre- 
tionary powers  appear  to  have  been  subsequently  given  to 
him,  as  he  lefl  the  Philadelphia  and  Essex  behind  him,  and 
proceeded  home  with  his  own  ship  and  the  Enterprise.  The 
practice  of  entering  men  for  only  a  twelvemonth  still  prevailed, 
and  it  was  often  imperative  on  vessels  to  quit  stations  at  the 
most  unfortunate  moments.  The  Philadelphia  was  left  to 
watch  the  Tripolitans,  making  Syracuse  in  Sicily  her  port  of 
resort ;  while  the  Essex  was  kept  at  the  straits,  to  blockade  the 
two  vessels  at  Gibraltar,  and  guard  the  passage  into  the  Atlan- 
tic.    Both  ships  gave  convoys  when  required. 

Thus  ended  the  first  year  of  the  war  with  Tripoli.  Al- 
though little  had  been  effected  towards  bringing  the  enemy  to 
terms,  much  was  done  in  raising  the  tone  and  discipline  of  the 
service.  At  Gibraltar,  Malta,  and  other  ports,  the  finest 
cruisers  of  Great  Britain  were  constantly  met ;  and  the  Ame- 
rican ships  proving  to  be  entirely  their  equals,  in  construction, 
sailing,  and  manoeuvring,  a  strong  desire  was  soon  excited  to 
render  them,  in  all  other  respects,  as  good  as  those  that  were 
then  deemed  the  model-ships  of  the  world.  A  similar  oppor- 
tunity had  occurred  while  cruising  in  the  West-Indies ;  but 
then  a  large  proportion  of  the  vessels  employed  were  of  infe- 
rior qualities,  and  some  of  the  officers  were  unfit  to  hold  com- 
missions in  any  service.  All  the  purchased  ships  had  now 
been  sold,  and  the  reduction  law  had  cleared  the  lists  of  those 
who  would  be  likely  to  lessen  the  ambition,  or  alarm  the  pride 
of  an  aspiring  and  sensitive  marine.  Each  day  added  to  the 
knowledge,  tone,  esprit  de  corps,  and  seamanship  of  the 
younger  officers ;  and  as  these  opportunities  continued  to  in- 
crease throughout  the  whole  of  the  Mediterranean  service,  the 
navy  rapidly  went  on  improving,  until  the  commander  of  an 
American  ship  was  as  ready  to  meet  comparisons,  as  the  com- 
mander of  any  vessel  of  war  that  floated. 


1802.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


155 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


were 

oppor- 

;  but 

infe- 

com- 

[  now 

those 

pride 

to  the 

of  the 

to  in- 

;e,  the 

of  an 

rom- 


Earlt  in  the  year  1802,  Congress  enacted  laws  that  obvi- 
ated some  constitutional  scruples  of  the  executive,  and  which 
fully  authorised  the  capture  and  condemnation  of  any  Tripo- 
litan  vessels  that  might  be  found.  It  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  this  law  itself  did  not  contain  a  formal  declaration  of  war, 
while  it  provided  for  all  the  contingencies  of  such  a  state  of 
things,  even  to  empowering  the  president  to  issue  commissions ' 
to  privateers  and  letters  of  marque ;  and  it  may  be  inferred 
from  this  fact,  that  it  was  supposed  the  act  of  the  enemy  was 
sufficient  to  render  the  country  technically  a  belligerent.  One 
of  the  sections  of  this  law,  however,  was  of  great  service  to 
the  navy,  by  enabling  crews  to  be  shipped  for  two  years. 

As  the  President  and  Enterprise  had  returned  home,  and 
the  time  of  service  of  the  people  of  the  two  ships  that  were 
left  in  the  Mediterranean  was  nearly  up,  preparations  were 
now  made  to  send  out  a  relief  squadron.  For  this  service  the 
following  ships  were  commissioned,  viz.  the  Chesapeake  38, 
Lieutenant  Chauncey,  acting  captain ;  Constellation  38,  Can. 
tain  Murray ;  New  York  36,  Captain  James  Barron ;  John 
Adams  28,  Captain  Rodgers ;  Adams  28,  Captain  Campbell  ; 
and  Enterprise  12,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Slerrett.  Com- 
modore Truxtun  was  selected  to  command  this  squadron,  and 
he  had  proceeded  to  Norfolk  for  that  purpose,  when  a  question 
arising  about  allowing  him  a  captain  in  the  flag-ship,  he  was 
induced  to  resign.  Commodore  Morris  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Commodore  Truxtun,  and  shortly  after  he  hoisted  his 
broad  pennant  in  the  Chesapeake. 

The  vessels  fitting  for  the  Mediterranean  being  in  different 
states  of  forwardness,  and  there  existing  a  necessity  for  the 
immediate  appearance  of  some  of  them  in  that  sea,  they  did 
not  sail  in  a  squadron,  but  as  each  was  ready.  The  Enterprise 
was  the  first  that  left  home,  sailing  in  February ;  and  she  was 
followed,  in  March,  by  the  Constellation.  The  Chesapeake 
did  not  get  out  until  April,  and  the  Adams  followed  her  in  June. 
The  two  other  ships  were  detained  until  September.  There 
was,  however,  one  other  vessel  at  sea,  all  this  time,  to  which  it 
will  be  necessary  to  make  a  brief  allusion. 


156 


NAVAL     HISTO A  Y 


[1809. 


Shortly  after  his  accession  to  office,  in  1801,  Mr.  Jefferson 
appointed  Mr.  Roboi  U.  Livingston  minister  to  France,  and  the 
Boston  28,  Captain  M'Ni<ill,  was  directed  to  carry  the  new  en- 
voy to  his  place  of  destination.  This  duly  performed,  the 
ship  had  been  ordered  to  join  the  squadron  in  the  Mediterru* 
nean,  for  service  in  that  sea.  The  departure  of  the  Boston 
was  so  timed  as  to  bring  her  on  the  station  under  both  com- 
mands, that  of  Commodore  Dale,  and  that  of  Commodore 
Morris.  This  cruise  has  become  memorable  in  the  service, 
on  account  of  the  eccentriiities  of  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
ship.  After  encoimtering  a  heavy  gale  of  wind  in  the  Bay  of 
Biscay,  in  which  he  showed  perfect  seamanship,  and  the  utmost 
coolness,  under  circumstances  particularly  trying.  Captain 
M'Niell  landed  his  passengers,  and  proceeded  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean. Here  he  cruised  for  some  time,  avoiding  his  senior 
officers,  whenever  he  could,  passing  from  port  to  port,  appear- 
ing off  Tripoli,  and  occasionally  affording  a  convoy.  Alter  a 
time,  the  Boston  returned  home,  and  was  put  out  of  commis- 
sion, her  commander  quitting  the  service  under  the  reduction 
law.  The  Essex  and  Philadelphia  also  returned  home,  as  soon 
as  relieved. 

We  have  now  reached  the  summer  of  1802,  and  must  con- 
fine the  narrative  of  events  to  the  movements  of  the  different 
vessels  that  composed  the  squadron  under  the  orders  of  Com- 
modore Morris.  In  some  respects,  this  was  the  best  appointed 
force  that  had  ever  sailed  from  America.  The  ships  were  well 
officered  and  manned,  and  the  crews  hud  been  entered  for  two 
years,  or  double  the  usual  period.  The  powers  given  to  the 
commanding  officer,  appear  to  have  been  more  ample  than 
common ;  and  so  strong  was  the  expectation  of  the  government 
that  his  force  was  sufficient  to  bring  the  enemy  to  terms,  that 
Commodore  Morris  was  associated  with  Mr.  Cathcart,  the  late 
consul  at  Tripoli,  in  a  commission  to  negotiate  a  peace.  He 
was  also  empowered  to  obtain  gun-boats,  in  order  to  prot  "".t 
the  American  trade  in  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar. 

As  there  were  no  means  of  bringing  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli 
to  terms  but  blockade  and  bombardment,  two  material  errors 
seem  to  have  been  made  in  the  composition  of  the  force  em- 
ployed, which  it  is  necessary  to  mention.  There  was  no  fri- 
gate in  this  squadron  that  carried  a  long  gun  heavier  than  an 
eighteen-pounder,  nor  was  there  any  mortar  vessel.  Heavy 
carronades  had  come  into  use,  it  is  true,  and  most  ships  carri- 
ed more  or  less  of  them ;  but  these  are  guns  unsuited  to  batter- 


r^ 


1/ 


11609. 


1809.1 


M  AVAL     HISTORY. 


157 


senior 


ing  un  Air  any  circumstances,  and  were  particularly  unfitted 
for  an  assault  on  works  that  it  is  difficult  to  approach  very  near, 
on  account  of  reefs  of  rocks.  There  was  also  a  singular  de* 
ficioncy  in  small  vessels,  without  which  a  close  blockade  of  a 
port  like  Tripoli,  was  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impossible.  It 
will  be  remembered,  that  the  schooner  Enterprise  was  the  only 
vessel  left  in  the  navy  by  the  reduction  law,  that  was  not  fri- 
gate'built,  and  none  had  yet  been  launched  to  supply  the  de- 
fect. The  government,  however,  had  become  aware  of  the 
great  i~nportance  of  light  cruisers,  and  several  were  laid  down 
in  the  summer  of  this  year,  under  authority  granted  for  that 
purpose. 

As  has  been  seen,  the  Enterprise  12,  Lieutenant  Command- 
ant Sterrett,  was  the  first  vessel  of  the  new  squadron  that 
reached  the  Mediterranean.  She  was  soon  followed  by  the 
Constellation  38,  Captain  Murray,  which  ship  arrived  off  Tri- 
poli early  in  May,  where  she  found  the  Boston  28,  Captain 
M'Niell,  blockading  the  port.  The  latter  ship,  in  a  few  days, 
quitted  the  station,  and  never  re-appeared  on  it.  A  Swedish 
cruiser  was  also  off  the  port,  assisting  to  blockade.* 

After  being  off  the  port  some  time,  the  Constellation  was 
lying  three  or  four  leagues  from  the  town,  when  the  look-out 
aloft  reported  several  small  vessels  to  the  westward,  stealing 
along  shore.  The  wind  was  quite  light,  and  the  Swedish  fri- 
gate, at  the  moment,  was  a  long  distance  outside.  Sail  was 
got  on  the  Constellation,  and  towards  noon  the  strangers  were 
made  out  to  be  seventeen  Tripolitan  gun-boats,  which,  as  it 
was  afterwards  ascertained,  had  gone  out  at  night,  with  the 
intention  of  convoying  into  port,  an  American  prize  that  was 
expected  from  Tunis,  but  which  had  failed  to  appear.  Fortu- 
nately the  wind  freshened  as  the  Constellation  drew  in  with 
the  land,  and  about  one  o'clock  liopes  were  entertained  of  cut- 
ting off  all,  or  a  portion  of  the  enemy.  The  latter  were  divi- 
ded into  two  divisions,  however,  and  that  which  led,  by  pull- 
ing directly  U)  windward,  effected  its  escape.  The  division 
in  the  rear,  consisting  of  ten  boats,  was  less  fortunate,  the 
Constellation  being  enabled  to  get  it,  for  a  short  time,  under 
her  fire. 

The  wind  blew  nearly  from  the  direction  of  the  town,  and 
the  Tripolitans  still  endeavoured  to  cross  tlie  bows  of  the  ship, 

*  Sweden  was  at  war  with  Tripoli,  at  this  time,  also ;  but  peace  was 
made  in  the  course  of  the  summer. 
14 


158 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


Iltt03. 


'  i 


as  sho  was  standing  in;  but  Captain  Murroy,  having  run  into 
ten  fathoms,  opened  upon  the  enemy,  time  enough  to  cut  of}' all 
but  one  boat  of  the  rear  division.  This  boat,  notwithstanding 
a  hot  discharge  of  grape,  succeeded  in  getting  to  windward, 
and  was  abandoned  to  attend  to  the  remainder.  The  enemy 
now  opened  a  fire  in  return,  but  the  Cont.tellation  having,  by 
this  time,  got  the  nearest  boats  fairly  under  her  broadside;,  soon 
compelled  the  whole  nine  to  bear  up,  and  to  pull  towards  the 
shore.  Hero  they  got  into  nooks  behind  the  rocks,  or  in  the 
best  places  of  refuge  that  offered,  while  a  large  body  of  cavalry 
oppoared  on  the  sand-hills  above  them,  to  prevent  a  landing. 
Deeming  it  imprudent  to  send  in  the  boats  of  a  single  frigate 
against  so  formidable  a  Ibrce,  Captain  Murray  wore  and  stood 
olF  shore,  soon  after  speaking  the  Swede,  who  had  not  been 
able  to  close  in  time  to  engage. 

This  little  affair  was  the  first  that  occurred  off  the  port  of 
Tripoli,  in  this  war ;  and  it  had  the  effect  of  rendering  the  ene- 
my very  cautious  in  his  movements.  The  gun-boats  were  a 
good  deal  cut  up,  though  their  loss  was  never  ascertained. 
The  cavalry,  also,  suffered  materially,  and  it  was  said  that  an 
officer  of  high  rank,  nearly  allied  to  the  Bey,  was  killed.  The 
Constellation  sustained  some  trilling  damage  aloft,  but  the  gun- 
boats were  too  hard  pressed  to  render  their  fire  very  serious. 
The  batteries  opened  upon  the  ship,  also,  on  this  occasion,  but 
all  their  shot  fell  short. 

After  waiting  in  vain  for  the  re-appearance  of  the  Boston, 
Captain  Murray  was  compelled  to  quit  the  station  for  want  of 
water,  when  Tripoli  was  again  left  without  any  force  before  it. 

The  Chesapeake  38,  Acting  Captain  Chauncey,  wearing  the 
broad  pennant  of  Commodore  Morris,  reached  Gibraltar  May 
25th,  1802,  where  she  found  the  Essex  32,  Captain  Bain- 
bridge,  still  blockading  the  Tripolitan  cruisers.  The  latter  ves- 
sel was  sent  home,  and  the  Chesapeake,  which  had  need  of 
repairs,  having  sprung  her  mainmast,  continued  in  the  straits 
for  the  purpose  of  refitting,  and  of  watching  the  enemy.  Com- 
modore Morris  also  deemed  it  prudent  to  observe  the  move- 
ments of  the  government  of  Morocco,  which  had  manifested  a 
hostile  disposition.  The  arrival  of  the  Adams  28,  Captain 
Campbell,  late  in  July,  finally  placed  the  flag-ship  at  liberty, 
and  she  sailed  with  a  convoy  to  various  ports  on  the  north 
shore,  having  the  Enterprise  in  company.  This  long  delay 
below,  of  itself,  almost  defeated  the  possibility  of  acting  effi- 


[1»03. 


1803] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


159 


cicntly  ogninst  the  town  of  Tripoli  that  summer,  since,  further 
time  l)cing  iii(li.s|)<nsiil)le  to  collect  the  diflerent  vessels  and  to 
make  the  necessary  preparations,  it  would  bring  the  ships  be- 
fore that  place  too  late  in  the  season.  The  fault,  however,  if 
fault  there  was,  rested  more  with  those  who  directed  the  pre- 
parations at  home,  than  with  the  commanding  ollicer,  us  tho 
delay  at  Gibraltar  would  seem  to  have  been  called  for  by  cir- 
cumstances. The  Chesapeake,  following  tho  north  shore,  and 
touching  at  many  ports,  anchored  in  the  roadsi  of  Leghorn,  on 
the  12th  of  October.  At  Leghorn  the  Const'  llation  was  met, 
which  ship  shortly  after  returned  homo,  in  consequence  o:'  a 
discretionary  power  that  had  been  left  with  the  Commodore. 
Orders  were  now  sent  to  tho  diftcrent  vessels  of  the  squauron 
to  rendezvous  at  Malta,  whither  tho  Commodure  prot<^;edcd 
with  his  own  ship.  Here,  in  the  course  of  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary, 1803,  were  assembled  the  Chesapeake  38,  Acting  Cap- 
tain Chauncey ;  New  York  30,  Captain  J.  Barron  '  John 
Adams  28,  Captain  Rodgers,  and  Enterprise  12,  Li<  ut«.:  ant 
Commandant  Sterrctt.  Of  the  remaining  vessels  that  1  .id  been 
put  under  the  orders  of  Commodore  Morris,  the  Constellation 
38,  Captain  Murray,  had  gone  into  a  Spanish  port  to  repair 
some  damages  received  in  a  gale  of  wind,  and  she  shortly 
after  sailed  for  home ;  the  Boston  28,  Captain  M'Niell,  had 
not  joined,  and  the  Adams  28,  Captain  Campbell,  was  ruising 
off  Gibraltar.  On  the  30th  of  January,  1803,  the  ships  first 
named  left  Malta  with  an  intention  to  go  off  Tripoli,  but  a  se- 
vere gale  coming  on,  which  lasted  eleven  days,  the  Commo- 
dore was  induced  to  bear  up,  and  to  run  down  to  Tunis,  where 
it  was  understood  the  presence  of  the  squadron  would  be  use- 
ful. On  the  11th  of  March  he  left  Tuni-^^  touched  at  Algiers, 
and  anchored  again  at  Gibraltar  on  the  V'i  -fthe  month. 

The  reason  assigned  for  carrying  the  siiips  below,  when  it 
had  been  the  original  design  to  appear  off  the  enemy's  port, 
was  the  want  of  provisions,  as  well  as  to  make  the  transfers  and 
arrangements  dependent  on  shifting  the  pennant  of  the  com- 
manding officer,  from  the  Chr3a;jeuke  to  the  New  York,  tho 
former  ship  having  been  ordered  home  by  the  navy  depart- 
ment.  The  squadron  was  now  reduced  to  the  New  York  36, 
the  Adams  28,  the  John  Adams  28,  and  the  Enterprise  12. 
Acting  Captain  Chauncey  accompanied  the  Commodore  to  the 
first  of  these  vessels,  and  Captain  Barron  was  transferred  to 
the  Chesapeake.     The  Adams  was  despatched  with  a  convoy, 


160 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1803. 


1 


with  orders  to  go  off  Tripoli,  as  soon  as  the  first  duty  was  per- 
formed. 

The  ships  appear  to  have  been  detained  some  time  at  Malta 
by  the  repairs  that  were  rendered  necessary  in  consequence 
of  an  accident  that  had  occurred  to  the  New  York.  On  the 
8d  of  May,  however,  the  John  Adams  was  sent  off  Tripoli, 
alone,  with  orders  to  blockade  that  port.  Shortly  after  this 
ship  reached  her  station,  she  made  a  sail  in  the  offing,  which 
she  intercepted.  This  vessel  proved  to  be  the  Meshouda,  one 
of  the  cruisers  that  had  been  so  long  blockaded  at  Gibraltar, 
and  which  was  now  endeavouring  to  get  home  under  an  as- 
sumed character.  She  had  been  sold  by  the  Bashaw  to  the 
Emperor  of  Morocco,  who  had  sent  her  to  Tunis,  where  she 
had  taken  in  supplies,  and  was  now  standing  boldly  for  the 
harbour  of  Tripoli.  The  reality  of  the  transfer  was  doubted, 
and  as  she  was  attempting  to  evade  a  legal  blockade,  the  Me- 
shouda was  detained. 

About  the  close  of  the  month,  Commodore  Morris  hove  in 
sight,  in  the  New  York,  with  the  Adams  and  Enterprise  in 
company.  As  t^o  flag-ship  neared  the  coast,  several  small 
vessels,  convoyed  by  a  number  of  gun-boats,  were  discovered 
close  in  with  the  land,  making  the  best  of  their  way  towards 
the  port.  Chase  was  immediately  given,  and  finding  them- 
selves cut  off  from  the  harbour,  the  merchant  vessels,  eleven 
in  all,  took  refuge  in  old  Tripoli,  while  the  gun-boats,  by 
means  of  their  sweeps,  were  enabled  to  pull  under  the  batte- 
ries of  the  town  itself.  No  sooner  did  the  vessels,  small  latine- 
rigged  coasters  loaded  with  wheat,  get  into  Old  Tripoli,  than 
preparations  were  made  to  defend  them.  A  large  stone  build- 
ing stood  on  a  bank  some  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  from  the  shore, 
and  it  was  occupied  by  a  considerable  body  of  soldiers.  In 
the  course  of  the  night,  breast-works  were  erected  on  each 
side  of  this  building,  by  means  of  the  sacks  of  wheat  which 
composed  the  cargoes  of  the  feluccas.  The  latter  were  hauled 
upon  the  beach,  high  and  dry,  immediately  beneath  the  build- 
ing, and  a  large  force  was  brought  from  Tripoli,  to  man  the 
breast- works. 

Mr.  Porter,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  flag-ship,  volunteered 
to  go  in  that  night,  with  the  boats  of  the  squadron,  and  destroy 
the  enemy's  craft ;  but,  unwilling  to  expose  his  people  under 
so  much  uncertainty,  the  commodore  decided  to  wait  for  day- 
light, in  order  that  the  ships  might  co-operate,  and  in  the  hope 
of  intimidating  the  Tripolitans  by  a  show  of  all  his  force. 


iL- 


[1803. 


1803.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


161 


Mr.  Porter,  however,  went  in  alone  and  reconnoitred  in  the 
dark,  receiving  a  heavy  fire  from  the  musketry  of  the  troops 
when  discovered. 

Next  morning,  the  offer  of  Mr.  Porter  was  accepted,  and 
sustained  by  Lieutenant  James  Lawrence  of  the  Enterprise, 
and  a  strong  party  of  officers  and  men  from  the  other  ships, 
he  went  boldly  in,  in  open  day.  As  the  boats  pulled  up  within 
reach  of  musketry,  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire,  which 
there  was  very  little  opportunity  of  returning.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  great  superiority  of  the  Turks  in  numbers,  the  party 
landed,  set  fire  to  the  feluccas,  and  regaining  their  boats  open- 
ed to  the  right  and  left,  to  allow  the  shot  of  the  ships  to  com- 
plete the  work.  The  enemy  now  appeared  desperately  bent 
on  preserving  their  vessels,  and,  regardless  of  the  fire  of  the 
ships,  they  rushed  on  board  the  feluccas,  succeeded  in  extin- 
guishing the  flames,  and,  in  the  end,  preserved  them. 

This  attack  was  made  in  the  most  gallant  manner,  and  re- 
flected high  credit  on  all  engaged.  The  parties  were  so  near 
each  other,  that  the  Turks  actually  threw  stones  at  the  Ame- 
ricans, and  their  fire  was  sharp,  heavy,  and  close.  The  loss 
of  the  enemy  could  never  be  ascertained,  but  a  good  many 
were  seen  to  fall.  Of  the  Americans,  12  or  15'  were  killed 
and  wounded ;  and  among  the  latter,  was  Mr.  Porter,  who  re- 
ceived a  slight  wound  in  the  right,  and  a  musket-ball  through 
the  left  thigh,  while  advancing  to  the  attack,  though  he  con- 
tinued to  command  to  the  last.  Mr.  Lawrence  was  particu- 
larly distinguished,  as  was  Mr.  John  Downes,  one  of  the  mid- 
shipmen of  the  New  York. 

Commodore  Morris  determined  to  follow  up  this  attack  on 
the  wheat  vessels,  by  making  another  on  the  gun-boats  of  the 
enemy. 

These  gun-boats  were  stationed  well  out,  near  the  rocks  and 
the  mole,  in  a  manner  to  admit  of  their  giving  and  receiving 
a  fire ;  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28th  of  May,  the  prepar- 
ations having  been  previously  made,  a  signal  was  shown  from 
the  New  York,  for  the  John  Adams  to  bear  down  upon  the 
enemy  and  commence  an  attack.  Captain  Rodgers  obeyed  the 
order  with  promptitude,  taking  a  position  within  reach  cf  grape  ; 
but  owing  to  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  the  two  other  ships 
were  unable  to  second  him,  as  was  intended.  In  consequence 
of  these  unforeseen  circumstances,  the  attack  proved  a  failure, 
in  one  sense,  though  the  boats  soon  withdrew  behind  the  rocks, 
14* 


162 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1803. 


and  night  brought  the  affair  to  an  end.  It  is  believed  that 
neither  party  suffered  much  on  this  occasion. 

The  next  day  Commodore  Morris  made  an  attempt  to  ne- 
gotiate a  peace,  through  the  agency  of  M.  Nissen,  the  Danish 
consul,  a  gentleman  who,  on  all  occasions,  appears  to  have 
been  the  friend  of  the  unfortunate,  and  active  in  doing  good. 
To  this  proposal  the  Bey  listened,  and  one  of  his  ministers  was 
empowered  to  meet  the  American  commander  on  the  subject. 
Having  received  proper  pledges  for  his  safe  return.  Commo- 
dore Morris  landed  in  person,  and  each  party  presented  its 
outlines  of  a  treaty.  The  result  was  an  abrupt  ending  of  the 
negotiation. 

This  occurred  on  the  8th  of  June;  and  on  the  10th,  the 
New  York  and  Enterprise  left  the  station  for  Malta.  At  the 
latter  place,  Commodore  Morris  received  intelligence  concern- 
ing the  movements  of  the  Algerine  and  Tunisian  corsairs,  that 
induced  him  to  despatch  the  Enterprise,  with  orders  to  Captain 
Rodgers  to  raise  the  blockade  of  Tripoli,  and  to  join  him,  as 
soon  as  circumstances  would  permit,  at  Malta. 

After  the  departure  of  the  flag-ship,  the  John  Adams  28, 
Captain  Rodgers,  and  the  Adams  28,  Captain  Campbell,  com- 
posed the  force  left  before  the  enemy's  port.  The  speedy  re- 
turn of  the  Enterprise  12,  which  was  then  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Hull,  who  had  succeeded  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Sterrett,  added  that  light  vessel  to  the  squadron. 
Some  movements  in  the  harbour,  on  the  evening  of  the  21st 
of  June,  induced  Captain  Rodgers,  the  senior  officer  present, 
to  suspect  that  it  was  intended  to  get  a  cruiser  to  sea  that  night, 
or  to  cover  the  return  of  one  to  port.  With  a  view  to  defeat 
either  of  these  plans,  the  Adams  was  sent  to  the  westward,  the 
Enterprise  to  the  eastward,  while  the  John  Adams  remained  in 
the  offing. 

On  the  following  morning, about  7  o'clock, the  Enterprise  was 
seen  to  the  southward  and  eastward  with  a  signal  for  an  enemy 
flying.  At  t'lat  moment  the  John  Adams  was  a  few  leagues 
out  at  sea,  and  it  was  8  o'clock  before  the  two  vessels  could 
speak  each  other.  Captain  Rodgers  now  found  that  a  large 
ship  belonging  to  the  Bashaw,  had  run  into  a  deep  narrow  bay, 
about  seven  leagues  to  the  eastward  of  Tripoli,  where  she  had 
taken  a  very  favourable  position  for  defence,  and  anchored 
with  springs  on  her  cable.  At  the  same  time  it  was  ascertained 
that  nine  gun-boats  wee  sweeping  along  the  shore,  to  aid  in 
defending  her,  while,  as  usual,  a  large  body  of  cavalry  was 


JUm^ 


1803.] 


NAVAL      HISTORY 


163 


large 


hovering  about  the  coast  to  resist  any  attack  by  means  of  boats. 
The  ship  was  known  to  be  the  largest  of  the  Bey's  remaining 
corsairs,  mounting  22  guns ;  and  she  was  very  full  of  men. 

Captain  Rodgers  owed  the  opportunity  that  now  offered  to 
attack  his  enemy,  to  the  steadiness  and  gallantry  of  Lieutenant , 
Commandant  Hull,  who,  on  making  his  adversary  ut  daylight, 
had  cut  him  off  from  the  town,  with  a  spirit  that  did  infinite 
credit  to  that  officer.  The  Tripolitan  was  treble  the  force  of 
the  Enterprise,  and  had  he  chosen  to  engage  the  schooner,  Mr. 
Hull  would,  probably,  have  been  obliged  to  sacrifice  his  little 
vessel,  in  order  to  prevent  his  enemy  from  getting  into  port. 

The  dispositions  of  Captain  Rodgers  were  soon  made.  He 
stood  in,  with  the  Enterprise  in  company,  until  the  John  Ad- 
ams was  within  point-blank  shot  of  the  enemy,  when  she  open- 
ed her  fire.  A  smart  cannonade  was  maintained  on  both  sides, 
for  forty-five  minutes,  when  the  people  of  the  corsair  aban- 
doned their  guns,  with  so  much  precipitation,  that  great  num- 
bers leaped  overboard,  and  swam  to  the  shore.  The  John  Ad- 
ams was  now  in  quarter- less-five,  by  the  lead,  and  she  wore 
with  her  head  off  shore.  At  the  same  time,  the  Enterprise 
was  ordered  to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  enemy  on  the  beach, 
while  boats  could  be  got  out  to  take  possession  of  the  aban- 
doned ship.  But  a  boat  returning  to  the  corsair,  the  John  Ad- 
ams tacked  and  renewed  her  fire.  In  a  few  minutes  the  co- 
lours of  the  corsair  were  hauled  down,  and  all  her  guns  were 
discharged ;  those  which  were  pointed  towards  the  Americans, 
and  those  which  were  pointed  towards  the  land.  At  the  next 
moment  she  blew  up. 

The  explosion  was  very  heavy,  and  it  tore  the  hull  of  the 
Tripolitan  entirely  to  pieces.  The  two  after-masts  were  forced 
into  the  air  to  twice  their  usual  height,  with  all  the  yards,  rig- 
ging, and  hamper  attached.  The  cause  of  this  explosion  is 
unknown,  though  it  might  have  been  thought  intentional,  were 
it  not  for  the  fact  that  the  people  of  the  boat  that  had  returned 
to  her,  were  blown  up  in  the  ship,  none  having  left  her  after 
their  arrival.  As  the  shot  of  the  John  Adams  was  seen  to 
hull  the  enemy  repeatedly,  the  corsair  is  also  supposed  to  have 
sustained  a  severe  loss  before  her  people  first  abandoned  her. 

The  John  Adams  and  Enterprise  attempted  to  cut  off  the 
division  of  gun-boats,  but  found  the  water  shoal  too  far  to  sea- 
ward of  them  to  render  the  fire  of  their  guns  effective.  Know- 
ing the  whole  coast  intimately,  the  latter  were  enabled  to  es- 
cape. 


164 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1803. 


:l 


Tlio  ships  boforo  Tripoli,  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Com- 
modore Morris,  now  sailed  for  Malta  to  join  this  officer,  when 
the  whole  squadron  proceeded  to  dittcrent  ports  in  Italy,  to- 
gether. From  L(^',  'lorn,  the  John  Adams  was  sent  down  to 
,  the  straits  with  a  <^onvoy ;  the  Adams  to  Tunis  and  Gibraltar, 
and  the  Enterpri;  o  b'lck  to  Malta,  in  quest  of  despatches. 
Soon  atler,  the  N'vv  \ork  herself  went  below,  touching  at  Mal- 
aga, where  Commodore  Morris  found  letters  of  recall.  Tlio 
command  was  left  temporarily  with  Captain  Rodgers,  who 
hoisted  n  broad  pennant  in  the  New  York,  while  Commodore 
Morris  took  charge  of  the  Adams,  to  proceed  to  America. 
Captain  Campbell,  late  of  the  Adams,  was  transferred  to  the 
John  Adams. 

Commodore  Morris  reached  home  on  the  21st  of  November, 
1803;  and  the  government,  which  professed  great  dissatisfac- 
tion at  the  manner  in  which  he  had  employed  the  force  en- 
trusted to  his  discretion,  demanded  the  usual  exj)lanations. 
Those  explanations  not  proving  satisfactory,  a  Court  of  Inqui- 
ry was  convened,  by  order  of  the  department,  dated  March 
10,  1804,  and  the  result  was  an  opinion  that  this  officer  had 
not  exercised  due  diligence  and  activity  in  annoying  the  ene- 
my, on  various  occasions,  between  the  8th  of  Jaimary,  1803, 
and  the  period  of  the  expiration  of  his  command.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  finding  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  the  president 
dismissed  Commodore  Morris  from  the  navy.  This  step  has 
generally  been  considered  high-handed  and  unjust. 

Tlie  death  of  Commodore  Barry,  the  resignations  of  Com- 
modore Dale  and  Commodore  Truxtun,  with  the  dismissals  of 
Commodore  Morris  and  Captain  M'Nicll,  reduced  the  list  of 
captains  to  nine,  the  number  named  in  the  reduction  law ;  for 
that  act  does  not  appear  to  have  been  rigidly  regarded  from 
the  moment  of  its  passage.  After  the  death  of  Commodore 
Barry,  Commodore  S.  Nicholson  became  the  senior  officer  of 
the  service,  making  the  second  member  of  the  same  family 
who  had  filled  that  honourable  station. 


1803.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


165 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


The  government  soon  becamo  aware  of  the  necessity  of 
posscssin}^  some  light  cruisers,  which,  to  a  marine,  arc  what 
the  eyes  and  nerves  arc  to  man.  Without  vessels  of  this 
cfmractor,  a  commander  could  never  conduct  a  vigorous  block- 
ode,  lik(i  that  retiuircd  before  Tripoli,  in  particular ;  and  a  law 
passed  Fel)ruary,  ISOJJ,  authorising  the  construction  of  two 
brigs  and  two  schooners.  In  the  course  of  the  sprin/?  of  that 
year,  these  vessels  were  built,  and  the  navy  received  an  addi- 
tion to  its  list,  of  the  Argus  IC,  Siren  10,  Nautilus  12,  and 
Vixen  12.  The  two  former  were  beautiful  and  very  eflicient 
brigs,  mounting  16  twenty-four  pound  carronades,  and  2  long 
twelves;  and  the  two  latter  were  schooners,  carrying  12 
eighteen-pound  carronades,  and  2  light  long  guns,  each. 
They  were  all  finely  modelled  aiid  serviceable  vessels  of  their 
size,  and  are  now  intimately  associated  with  the  early  traditions 
of  the  navy.  There  was  a,  singulrr  conformity  in  their  'utes, 
also,  the  whole  four,  in  the  end,  falling  into  the  hands  of  their 
enemies. 

When  Commodore  Morris  was  recalled,  the  necessity  of 
sending  out  a  new  squadron  was  foreseen,  the  time  of  the 
crews  belonging  to  the  ships  left  under  the  orders  of  Commo- 
dore Rodgers  being  so  nearly  expired.  Indeed  the  latter 
officer,  when  he  hoisted  his  broad  pennant,  was  notified  tiat  a 
successor  must  soon  arrive.  The  new  squadron  was  so 
differently  organised  from  the  two  which  had  preceded  it,  as 
to  leave  little  doubt  that  the  administration  had  discovered  the 
error  which  had  been  made  in  sending  so  many  light  frigates 
on  this  service ;  vessels  that  were  nearly  useless  in  a  bombard- 
ment, while  they  could  not  command  the  sliores,  and  that  had 
no  other  quality  particularly  suited  to  the  warfare  in  which 
they  were  engaged,  than  a  fitness  to  convoy.  Even  for  the 
latter  employment,  tho  same  force  distributed  in  twice  the 
number  of  vessels,  would  have  been  much  more  efficient  and 
safe. 

The  ships  now  selected  to  carry  on  the  war  against  Tripoli, 
were  of  an  entirely  different  description.  They  consisted  of 
the  Constitution   44,  Philadelphia  38,  Argus   16,  Siren   16, 


1 


166 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1803. 


Nautilus  12,  Vixen  1!J,  and  Enterprise  12.  The  hitler  wa-? 
alreac'v  on  the  stiit'on,  and  it  was  intended  to  keep  lu^r  there, 
by  sending  out  men  to  supply  the  places  of  those  wh  •  ^:oclined 
to  enter  anew.  A'j  usual,  these  vessels  sailed  ns  iiioy  were 
ready;  the  Nautilus  12,  Lieutenant  ( omman  laiit  H.iiners, 
being  the  first  that  got  to  sea.  This  sclsconer  notched  Gibral- 
tar on  the  27th  of  July,  1803.  8he  was  ^oon  folio  wed  by  the 
Philadelphia  38,  Captain  Bainbri'^ge,  whicli  arrived  at  the 
same  place,  August  24th,  The  Constitution  44,  Itenring  the 
broad  pennant  of  Commodore  Prcblej,  who  had  Hoen  chosen  to 
command  the  squadroM,  arrived  Seatcmter  I'ith ;  the  Vixen 
12,  Lieutenant  Commanoant  Smith,  Stptemb'^r  T4th;  'o 
Sire?!  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewrut,  October  Sst;  ujaJ 
the  A  ;gas  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  DecRtur,  Novcmljer  1st. 
Wi  ..)\  the  last  fell  in  wiih  the  Enterprise,  Mr.  Decatur  took 
comaiuii'1  oJ  ihat  s.  Iiooner,  giving  up.  the  brig,  by  arrange- 
ment, to  Mr.  tiuli,  who  was  his  senior  officer. 

The  1  h  ridolphio  barely  touched  at  Gibraltar.but  hearing  that 
two  Tripolitans  v/cve  cruising  off  Cape  de  Gatt,  Captain  Bain- 
bridge  proceeded,  without  delay,  in  quest  of  {hem.  On  the 
night  of  the  2Gth  of  August,  blowing  fresh,  two  saiJs  were  made 
from  the  Philadelphia,  under  Cape  de  Gatt ;  the  largest  of  which, 
a  ship,  was  carrying  nothing  but  a  fore-course.  <^n  running 
alongside  this  vessel,  and  hailing,  with  a  good  deal  of  difficulty. 
Captain  Bainbridge  learned  that  the  stranger  was  a  Barbary 
cruiser.  Further  examination  showed  that  this  vessel  be- 
longed to  the  Emperor  of  Morocco,  and  that  she  was  the 
Meshboha  22,  commanded  by  Ibrahim  Lubarez,  and  had  a 
crew  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 

The  Moors  were  made  to  believe  that  the  Philadelphia  was 
an  English  frigate,  and  they  admitted  that  the  brig  in  company 
was  an  American.  The  suspicions  of  Captain  Bainbridge 
were  now  awakened,  for  he  could  not  well  account  for  the  brig's 
being  under  so  little  sail,  and  he  sent  his  first  lieutenant  on 
board  the  Moor,  to  ascertain  if  there  were  any  prisoners  in  his 
ship.  When  the  boat  reached  the  Meshboha,  the  Moors  re- 
fused to  let  the  officer  come  over  the  side.  Captain  Bainbridge 
now  directed  an  armed  force  to  go  into  the  boat,  when  the  offi- 
cer succeeded  in  executing  his  orders. 

Below  deck,  were  found  the  master  and  crew  of  the  brig  in 
company,  which  was  ascertained  to  be  the  Celia  of  Boston,  a 
prize  to  the  Meshboha.  The  brig  had  been  captured  near  Ma- 
laga, nine  days  before ;  and  there  was  no  doubt  that  the  Moors 


[1803. 


1803.] 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y. 


167 


a 


were  wailing  tor  o*hcr  vessels,  Cape  de  Gatt  being  a  headland 
commonly  made  by  every  thing  that  keeps  the  north  shore  of 
the  Mediterranean  aboard. 

Captain  Bainbridge,  on  receiving  this  intelligence,  did  not 
hesitate  about  taking  possession  of  the  Meshboha.  Her  people 
could  not  all  be  i-emoved  until  near  daylight ;  and  during  the 
time  that  was  occupied  in  transferring  them  to  the  frigate,  the 
brig  had  disapjjfeared.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  27th,  however, 
she  was  seen  doubling  the  cape,  coming  from  the  eastward, 
and  hugging  the  land,  while  she  steered  in  the  direction  of  Al- 
meria,  probably  with  the  hope  of  getting  to  the  westward  of 
the  ships,  in  order  to  run  to  Tangiers.  Owing  to  light  winds, 
it  was  midnight  before  she  could  be  re-taken. 

It  was  now  all-important  to  discover  on  what  authority  this 
capture  had  been  made.  The  Moorish  commander,  at  first, 
stated  that  he  had  taken  the  Celia,  in  anticipation  of  a  war  ;  a 
serious  misunderstanding  existing  between  the  Emperor  and 
the  American  consul,  when  he  left  port.  This  story  seemed 
so  improbable  that  it  was  not  believed,  and  Captain  Bainbridge 
could  only  get  at  the  truth  by  threatening  to  execute  his  pri- 
soner as  a  pirate,  unless  he  showed  his  commission.  This 
menace  prevailed,  and  Ibrahim  Lubarez  presented  an  order 
from  the  Governor  of  Tangiers,  to  capture  all  Americans  that 
he  might  fall  in  with. 

The  Philadelphia  returned  to  Gibraltar  with  her  prizes,  and 
leaving  the  latter,  she  went  off  Cape  St.  Vincent,  in  quest  of  a 
Moorish  frigate  that  was  said  to  be  cruising  there.  Not  suc- 
ceeding in  finding  the  Moor,  Captain  Bainbridge  ran  through 
the  straits  again,  and  went  aloft.  While  at  Gibraltar,  Mr. 
David  Porter  joined  him  as  first  lieutenant. 

Shortly  after  the  Philadelphia  had  gone  to  her  station  off* 
Tripoli,  the  New  York  36,  Commodore  Rodgers,  and  the  John 
Adams  28,  Captain  Campbell,  reached  Gibraltar,  in  the  ex- 
pectation of  meeting  the  new  flag-ship.  In  a  day  or  two  the 
Constitution  came  in,  as  did  the  Nautilus,  which  had  been  giv- 
ing convoy  up  the  Mediterranean.  As  soon  as  Commodore 
Preble  was  apprised  of  the  facts  connected  with  the  capture 
of  the  Meshboha,  he  saw  the  necessity  of  disposing  of  the 
question  with  Morocco,  before  he  left  the  entrance  of  the  Me- 
diterranean again  open,  by  going  off  Tripoli.  Commodore 
Rodgers  was  the  senior  officer,  and  his  authority  in  those  seas 
had  properly  ceased,  but,  in  the  handsomest  manner,  he  con- 
sented to  accompany  Commodore  Preble  to  Tangiers,  leaving 


!      ^ 


168 


NAVAL      H  1  H  T  O  11  Y 


\60'J. 


thu  latter  \m  pownr  to  net,  nn  nrfirotiutor  iukI  (!<)iniuiuul(^r>in- 
chief.  Accordingly  tho  ('onslitution  44,  Now  York  !UI,  John 
Adiims  2H,  Hivi  NmiiiluN  12,  went  into  tho  li»y  of  'I'ungiorM, 
()ct<»lHn'  tho  Olli,  1801K  ('onunodoro  l*rt'l)lo,  on  this  occiwion, 
diNcovoird  that  proniptitiidi^  spirit  and  dis(;r<>tion,  which  woro 
Hlh>rwards  so  conspicnous  in  his  churiicttir;  and  aOor  a  sljorl 
nogoiiation,  tijc  jt'hitions  of  tho  two  countries  woro  placed  on 
tlioir  lornior  nnucahio  llioling.  Tho  connnoilofo  had  an  inter- 
view with  tho  l*4niperor,  which  terniinated  in  tlx^  lmppi(!st  ro- 
snlts.  l)n  the  part  of  Morwco,  tho  act  of  tho  (Jovcrnorof 
Tangiors  was  disavowed ;  an  American  vessel  that  had  U^en 
detained  at  Mojjadoiv,  was  ivleased ;  and  the  Kmptu'or  allixed 
his  seal  anew  to  tho  tivaly  of  1780.  The  eoniniodoro  then 
cave  up  the  Meshhoh.i,  and  it  was  also  ajj;rt!ed  to  return  tlu; 
Rleshouda,  the  ship  taken  hy  the  John  Adams.  Congress,  in 
the  end,  however,  appropriated  an  eipiivalent  to  th(}  captors  of 
these  two  vessels,  in  lieu  of  pri/e-money. 

As  soon  as  the  dif^iv-ulties  with  Morocco  were  settled,  Com- 
modoiv  Uodgi'rs  sailed  for  America ;  and  ( 'Ommodon'  Prehio 
dmoled  himself  with  energy  and  j)rudenee  in  making  his  pre- 
parations t(»  bring  Triiwli  to  terms.  The  lattcn"  had  an  ardu- 
ous task  iKifoi'e  him ;  and  its  didiculties  W(;ro  incjt;asod  by  tho 
circumstance  that  ho  was  personally  known  to  si-arcely  an 
otUe.er  under  his  ccnnmand.  During  tlu^  war  with  France,  tho 
ships  had  been  principally  oHicered  from  the  states  in  wliich 
they  had  Inxni  built ;  and  Captair  Preble,  a  citizen  of  New 
Hampshire,  had  hitherto  commanded  vessels  under  these  cir- 
cumstances. He  had  sailed  for  tho  East  Indies  in  1800,  in 
the  Essex  82,  and  had  licen  much  removed  from  tli  5  rest  of 
the  navy,  in  the  course  of  his  service.  By  one  of  those  acci- 
dents that  so  odcn  influence  the  oflairs  of  life,  all  the  com- 
manders placed  under  the  orders  of  Commod6re  Preble,  with 
the  exception  of  Mr.  Hull,  came  fron)  the  middle  or  the  south- 
ern states ;  and  it  is  k^lievcd  that  most  of  them  had  never  even 
stH>n  their  pwsent  comnian<ler,  imtil  they  wont  in  person  to  re- 
|>f»rt  themselves  and  their  vessels.  Thi;  vas  not  only  true  of 
the  commanders,  but  a  large  portion  of  the  subordinate  ofli- 
ccrs,  also,  were  in  the  same  situation ;  even  most  of  those  in 
tho  Constitution  herself,  having  been  personally  strangers  to 
the  connnander  of  tho  squadron.  The  |x»riod  was  now  ap- 
proaching when  the  force  about  to  be  employed  l)eforc  Tripoli 
was  to  assemble,  and  n  service  was  in  ptn'spectivc  that  pro- 
mised to  let  the  whole  squadron  into  tlie  secret  of  its  com« 


I  HO  J. 


itiua.i 


N  A  V  A  I.     H  I  H  r  O  U  V  . 


109 


inun(l<'j''H  trijo  cliaraclrr.  I'mviously  to  relating  flic  cvetitH 
tliul.  then  occiirriicl,  howovor,  it  will  hr.  i)(;coH«ary  to  retiirn  lo 
tlio  rjiovtitnuuta  of  the  I'hilujclphiii  UH,  C'uptuin  Uainbridge. 


CHAPTICU  XIX. 


It  1.18  been  seen  that  the  Pliiladclpliia  captured  the  Mcsh- 
bolia,  on  tho  night  ol'  tin;  iiOth  of  August,  IHOM.  The  return 
t(j  (iibniltar,  the  nui  oil"  Cape  Vincent,  and  the  passage  up  thes 
Mediterranean,  brought  it  late  in  the  .season,  before  that  ship 
could  leach  her  station.  Il(;re  tho  Vixen  12,  Lieutenant  Coni- 
niaiidanl  Smith,  which  schoontir  had  arrived  at  Gibraltar  about 
the  middle  of  September,  apptiared  also,  and  tho  blockade  was 
resumed  by  these  two  vessels,  t!>e  lilntcjrprise  having  gone 
below.  Unfortunately,  soon  aller  his  arrival.  Captain  IJain- 
bridge  sent  the  schooner  in  quest  of  a  Triprditan  cruiser,  that 
he  learned  from  tho  master  of  a  neutral  had  got  to  sea  a  short 
time  previously.  This  led  lluj  Irigate  alone,  to  perform  a  very 
dc^licate  service,  the  blockading  vessels  being  constantly  com- 
pelled to  chase  in-shore. 

Towards  the  last  of  tho  month  of  October,  the  wind,  which 
had  betai  strong  from  tho  westward  for  some  time  previously, 
drove  the  Philadelphia  a  considerable  distance  to  the  eastward 
of  the  town,  arid  on  Monday,  October  the  31sl,  as  she  was 
running  down  to  her  station  again,  wit'i  a  fair  breeze,  about 
nine  in  the  morning,  a  vessel  was  seen  in-shore,  and  to  wind- 
ward, standing  for  Tripoli.  Sail  was  made  to  cut  her  oil*. 
Believing  himself  to  be  within  long  gun-shot  a  little  before 
eleven,  and  seeing  no  other  chance  of  overtaking  tho  stranger 
in  the  short  distance  that  remained,  Captain  Bainbridge  opened 
a  fire,  in  the  hope  of  cutting  something  away.  For  near  an 
hour  longer,  the  chase  and  the  fire  were  continued  ;  the  lead, 
which  was  constantly  kept  going,  giving  from  seven  to  ten 
fathoms,  and  the  ship  hauling  up  and  keeping  away,  as  the 
water  shoaled  or  deepened.  At  haif-past  eleven,  Tripoli  then 
being  in  plain  sight,  distant  a  little  more  than  a  league,  satisfied 
tliat  he  could  neither  overtake  the  chase,  nor  force  her  ashore, 
Ca[)tain  Bainbridge  ordered  the  helm  a-port,  to  haul  directly 
15 


170 


NAVAL     H  I  9  1'  O  R  / 


[1803. 


olTtho  land  itito  deep  water.  The  next  cost  of  the  lead,  wher^ 
this  order  was  executed,  gave  but  eight  fathoms,  and  this  was 
immediately  followed  by  casts  that  gave  seven,  and  six  and  a 
half.  At  this  moment,  the  wind  was  nearly  abeam,  and  the 
ship  had  eight  knots  way  on  her.  When  the  cry  of  "  half- 
six"  was  heard,  the  helni  was  put  hard  down,  and  the  yards 
were  ordered  to  bo  braced  sharp  up.  While  the  ship  was 
coming  up  fast  to  the  wind,  and  lietbre  she  had  lost  any  of  h6r 
way,  she  struck  a  reef  forwards,  and  shot  up  on  it,  until  she 
lifted  between  five  and  six  feet. 

This  was  «n  appalling  accident  to  occur  on  the  coast  of  such 
an  enemy,  at  that  season  of  the  year,  and  with  no  other  cruiser 
near !  It  was  first  attempted  to  force  the  vessel  ahead,  under 
the  impression  that  the  best  water  wag  to  sea-ward ;  but  on 
Mounding  around  the  ship,  it  was  found  that  she  had  run  up 
with  such  force,  as  to  lie  nearly  cradled  on  the  rocks  ,*  there 
being  only  14  feet  of  water  under  the  foro-chains,  while  the 
ship  drew,  before  striking,  18^  feet  forward.  Astern  there 
were  not  18  feet  of  water,  instead  of  20i,  which  the  frigate 
needed.  Such  an  accident  could  only  have  occurred  by  the 
vessel's  hitting  the  reef  at  a  spot  where  it  sloped  gradually  and 
where,  most  probably  the  constant  washing  of  the  element  had 
rendttied  the  surfac:  smooth ;  and  by  her  going  up,  on  the  top 
of  one  of  those  long,  heavy,  but  nearly  imperceptible  swells, 
that  are  always  agitating  the  bosom  of  the  ocean. 

The  vessel  of  which  the  Philadelphia  had  been  in  chase  was 
a  large  xebeck,  and  her  commander,  acquainted  with  the  coast, 
stood  on,  inside  of  the  reef,  doubled  the  edge  of  the  shoal,  and 
reached  Tripoli  in  safety.  The  tiring,  however,  had  brought 
out  nine  gun-boats,  which  now  appeared,  turning  to  windward. 
Not  a  moment  was  to  be  lost,  as  it  would  shortly  be  in  the 
power  of  these  vessels  to  assail  the  frigate  almost  with  impu- 
nity. Finding,  on  further  examination,  deep  water  in  shore,  the 
yards  were  next  braced  aback,  and  the  guns  were  run  aft,  in 
the  equally  vain  hope  of  foicing  the  ship  astern,  or  to  make 
her  slide  oft"  the  sloping  rocks  on  which  she  had  run  so  hard. 
It  was  some  time  before  this  project  was  abandoned,  as  it  was 
the  most  practicable  means  of  getting  afloat. 

•  On  a  consultation  with  his  officers.  Captain  Bainbridge  next 
gave  orders  to  throw  overboard  the  guns,  reserving  a  few  aft 
for  defence ;  the  anchors,  with  the  exception  of  the  larboard 
bower,  were  cut  from  the  bows.  Before  this  could  be  effected 
the  enemy  canr.e  within  gun-shot,  and  opened  his  fire.     For- 


1803] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


171 


tunatcly,  tho  Tripolilans  were  ignorant  of  iho  desperate  con- 
dition of  tho  Philadelphia,  and  were  kept  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance by  the  few  guns  that  remained ;  '"Iso  they  might  have 
destroyed  most  of  the  crew,  it  being  certain  that  the  colours 
would  not  bo  struck  so  long  as  there  was  any  hope  of  getting 
the  ship  afloat.  Tho  cannonade,  which  was  distant  and  ineffi- 
cient, and  the  business  of  lightening  the  frigate,  went  on  at  the 
same  time,  and  occupied  several  hours. 

The  enemy  finally  became  so  bold,  that  they  crossed  the 
stern  of  tho  frigate,  where  alone  they  were  nt  all  exposed  to 
her  fire,  and  took  a  position  on  Ii' r  starboarci,  or  weather  quar- 
ter. Hero  it  was  impossible  to  touch  them,  the  ship  having 
heeled  to  port,  in  a  way  lo  render  it  impracticable  to  bring  a 
single  gun  to  bear,  or,  indeed,  to  use  one  at  all,  on  that  side. 

Captain  Bainbridge  now  called  another  council  of  his  offi- 
cers,  and  it  was  determined  to  make  a  last  effort  to  get  the 
vessel  off.  The  water-casks,  in  the  hold,  were  started,  and 
the  water  was  pumped  out.  AH  the  heavy  articles  that  could 
be  got  at,  were  thrown  overboard,  and  finally  the  fore-mast 
was  cut  away,  bringing  down  with  it  the  main-top-gallant-mast. 
Notwithstanding  all  this,  the  vessel  remained  as  immovable  as 
the  rocks  on  which  she  lay. 

The  gun-boats  were  growing  bolder  every  minute,  others 
were  approaching,  and  night  was  at  hand.  Captain  Bain- 
bridge, after  consulting  again  with  his  officers,  felt  it  to  be  an 
imperious  duty  to  haul  down  his  flag,  to  save  the  lives  of  the 
people.  Before  this  was  done,  however,  the  magazine  was 
drowned,  holes  were  bored  in  the  ship's  bottom,  the  pumps 
were  choked,  and  every  thing  was  performed  that  it  was 
thought  would  make  the  final  loss  of  the  vessel  sure.  About 
five  o'clock  the  colours  were  lowered. 

It  is  a  curious  circumstance  that  this  was  the  second  in- 
stance in  which  an  American  vessel  of  war  had  been  compel- 
led to  haul  down  her  flag,  since  the  formation  of  tlic  .new  ma- 
rine, and  that  in  each  case  the  same  officer  coirmmdod.  Af- 
ter the  accounts  given  in  this  work,  it  is  unnecesisary  to  add 
that  on  both  occasions  an  imperious  necessity  produced  this 
singular  coincidence. 

The  ship  had  no  sooner  struck  than  the  gun-boats  ran  down 
alongside  of  her,  and  took  possession.  The  barbarians  rushed 
into  the  vessel,  and  began  to  plunder  their  captives.  Not  only 
were  the  clothes  which  the  Americans  had  collected  in  their 
bags  and  in  bundles,  taken  from  them,  but  many  officers  and 


172 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1803. 


men  were  stripped  half-nakod.  Tlioy  were  hurried  into  boats, 
and  sent  to  Tripoli,  und  even  on  the  passage  the  l)UHiness  of 
plundering  went  on.  Tlie  officers  were  resiKJcted  little  more 
than  the  common  men,  and,  while  in  the  boat,  Captain  Bain- 
bridge  himsell  was  robbed  of  his  epaulets,  gloves,  watch,  and 
money.  Ilia  cravat  was  even  torn  from  his  neck.  lie  wore 
n  miniature  of  his  wife,  and  of  this  the  Tripolitans  endeavoui- 
ed  to  deprive  him  also,  but,  a  youthful  and  attached  husband,  he 
rcf^isled  so  seriously  that  the  attempt  was  rclin(iuished. 

It  was  near  10  o'clock  at  night,  when  the  boats  reached  the 
town.  The  prisoners  were  landed  in  a  body,  near  the  ba- 
.shaw's  palace,  and  they  were  conducted  to  his  presence.  The 
prince  received  his  captives  in  an  audience  hall,  seated  in  u 
chair  of  state,  and  surroimded  by  his  ministers.  Here  Captain 
Bainbridge  was  formally  presented  to  him,  as  his  prisoner, 
when  the  bashaw  himself  directed  all  the  oflicers  to  bo  seated. 
The  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  Mohommed  D'Chics,  spoke 
French,  and  through  him  the  bashaw  held  a  conversation  of 
some  length  with  Captain  Bainbridge.  The  latter  was  asked 
many  questions  concerning  the  Philadelphia,  the  force  of  the 
Americans  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  he  was  civilly  consoled 
for  his  captivity,  by  being  reminded  that  it  was  merely  the  for- 
tune of  war. 

When  the  conversation  had  ended,  the  officers  were  con- 
ducted to  another  apartment,  where  a  supper  had  been  provided, 
and  as  soon  as  this  meal  had  been  taken  by  those  who  had  a 
desire  to  cat,  they  were  led  back  to  the  audience  hall,  and  paid 
their  parting  compliments  to  the  bashaw.  Here  the  captives 
were  informed  that  they  were  put  under  the  special  charge  of 
Sidi  Mohammed  D'Ghies,  who  conducted  them  to  the  house 
that  had  lately  been  the  American  consulate.  The  building 
was  spacious  and  commodious,  but  almost  destitute  of  furni- 
ture. It  was  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  at  that  late  hour 
even,  appeared  Mr.  Nissen,  the  Danish  consul,  bringing  with 
him  the  consolations  of  sympathy  and  hope.  This  benevolent 
man  was  in'roduced  to  Captain  Bainbridge,  by  Mohammed 
D'Ghies,  as  'lis  personal  friend,  and  as  one  on  whose  honour, 
humanity  and  gcod  faith,  full  reliance  might  bo  placed.  Mo- 
hammed D'Ghies,  himself,  was  known  by  reputation  to  Cap- 
tain Bainbridge,  and  he  had  shown  delicacy  and  feeling  in  the 
exercise  of  his  trust.  His  recommendation,  which  was  point- 
edly significant,  coupled  with  the  manner  of  Mr.  Nissen,  excited 
a  confidence  that  in  the  end  proved  to  be  most  worthily  be- 


[iH03, 


IbOXJ 


NAVAL     H  1  H  T  U  11  Y . 


173 


Htowcd,  Every  thing  that  could  bo  doviscd  ut  that  unscason* 
ablu  hour,  was  done  by  Mr.  Nisson.  This  was  but  tho  com- 
nifiiccnienl  of  a  scries  of  indofatigablo  and  unwearying  kind- 
nesses, that  endured  to  the  lust  moment  of  the  captivity  of  the 
Americans. 

Tho  misfortune  that  bofel  tho  Philadelphia,  made  a  material 
diflerence  in  tho  state  of  tho  war.  Until  this  moment,  the 
bushaw  had  received  but  little  to  compensate  him  for  the  incon- 
venience to  which  ho  was  put  by  tho  blockade,  and  for  the  loss 
of  his  different  cruisers.  His  corsairs  had  captured  but  very 
few  merchant  vessels,  and  they  ran  the  greatest  risks,  when- 
ever they  appeared  out  of  their  own  ports.  As  yet,  it  is  true, 
nothing  had  been  attempted  against  his  town,  but  he  knew  it 
was  ut  any  time  linblo  to  a  bomburdment.  It  was  thought, 
therefore,  that  ho  was  not  indisposed  to  peace,  when  accident 
threw  tho  crow  of  the  Philadelphia  so  unexpectedly  into  his 
])owor. 

The  bushaw,  liowevcr,  hud  now  a  hold  upon  his  enemy,  that, 
agreeably  to  tho  usages  of  Burbury,  enabled  him  to  take  much 
higher  ground  in  proposing  his  terms.  In  his  previous  nego- 
tiations, he  hud  asked  a  large  sum  as  the  price  of  the  few  cap- 
tives ho  then  held,  but  the  demand  hud  been  rejected  as  unrea- 
sonable and  exorbitant.  On  board  the  Philadelphia  were  three 
hundred  and  fifteen  souls,  and  among  them  were  no  less  thun 
twenty-two  quarter-deck  officers,*  gentlemen  in  whose  fortunes 
the  bashaw  well  knew  there  would  be  a  lively  interest  felt,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  concern  that  a  government  like  that  of 
America  was  expected  to  manifest  for  the  fate  of  its  seamen. 
Under  these  circumstances,  therefore,  the  divan  of  Tripoli  felt 
strongly  encouraged  to  continue  the  war,  in  the  hope  of  receiv- 
ing a  high  ransom  for  the  prisoners,  and  in  the  expectation  of 
holding  a  check  on  the  measures  of  its  enemy,  by  its  means  of 
retaliation. 


*  William  Bainbridge,  captain ;  David  Porter,  first  lieutenant ;  Jacob 
Jones,  second  do. ;  Theodore  Hunt,  third  do. ;  Benjamin  Smith,  fourth  do. ; 
William  Osborn,  lieutenant  of  marines ;  John  Ridgcly,  surgeon  ;  J.  Cow- 
dery,  do.  mate ;  Nicholas  Harwood,  do.  do. ;  Keith  Spcnce,  purser ;  and 
Bernard  Henry,  James  Gibbon,  Benjamin  Franklin  Reed,  James  Ren- 
shaw,  Wallace  Wormley,  Robert  Gamble,  James  Biddle,  Richard  R. 
Jones,  Daniel  T.  Patterson,  Simon  Smith,  and  William  Cutbusli,  mid- 
shipmen ;  William  Anderson,  captain's  clerk.  Of  these  gentlemen,  Messrs. 
J.  Jones,  Renshaw,  fiiddlc,  and  Patterson,  are  still  in  service,  and  have  all 
worn  broad  pennants.  Dr.  Cowdery  is  the  oldest  surgeon  now  in  the 
navy. 

15* 


174 


NAVAL      HISTORY 


[1803. 


Tho  Philadelplua  ran  on  the  reef  on  the  31st  of  October,  and 
her  people  were  landed  during  the  night  of  the  same  daj. 
The  Tripolitans  set  about  their  arrangements  to  get  the  ship 
off,  next  morning,  and  as  they  were  near  their  own  port,  had 
so  many  gun-boats  and  galleys  at  their  disposal,  and  were 
unmolested  by  any  cruiser,  it  was  announced  to  the  bashaw 
that  there  were  hopes  of  saving  the  Irignte.  In  the  course  of 
the  2d  of  November,  it  came  on  to  blow  fresh  from  the  north- 
west, and  the  wind  forcing  the  water  up  on  the  African  coast, 
while  it  bore  on  the  larboard  (quarter  of  the  ship,  her  stern  was 
,  driven  round,  and  she  floated,  in  part,  though  she  continued  to 
thump  as  the  seas  left  lier.  Anchors  were  now  carried  out, 
all  the  disposable  force  of  the  town  was  applied,  and  on  the  5th, 
the  Philadelphia  was  got  into  deep  water.  The  same  day,  she 
was  brought  within  two  miles  of  the  city,  where  she  was  com- 
pelled to  anchor,  on  account  of  the  state  of  the  weather.  Here 
she  was  kept  alloat  by  means  of  pumping,  while  men  were  cm- 
ployed  in  stopping  the  leaks.  The  business  of  scuttling  ap- 
pears to  have  been  but  imperfectly  performed,  a  few  holes  hav- 
ing been  merely  bored  in  the  bottom  of  the  shif),  instead  of 
cutting  through  the  planks,  as  had  been  ordered.  The  weather 
continuing  remarkably  pleasant,  the  Turks  finally  succeeded 
in  not  only  getting  the  frigate  into  port,  but  in  weighing  all  her 
guns  and  anchors  which  lay  in  shallow  water  on  the  reef,  as 
well  as  in  getting  up  nearly  every  thing  else  tliat  had  been 
tlu'own  overboard.  The  ship  was  partially  repaired,  her  guns 
were  remounted,  and  she  was  moored  oft'  the  town,  about  u 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  bashaw's  castle. 

Commodore  Preble,  on  his  return  from  Tangiers  to  Gibral- 
tar, on  the  15th  of  October,  went  round  to  Cadiz ;  soon  after, 
he  re-appcared  at  the  former  place,  made  a  formal  announce- 
ment of  tiie  blockade  of  Tripoli,  on  the  12th  of  November,  on 
which  day  the  ship  he  believed  to  bo  in  the  active  execution 
of  that  duty,  was  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  on  the 
13th,  he  sailed  for  Algiers.  After  landing  a  consul  at  the  lat- 
ter place,  ho  proccedexl  to  Malta,  oft*  which  port  he  arrived  on 
the  27th  of  November.  Here  he  was  met  by  letters  from  Cap- 
tain Bainbridge,  and  he  obtained  a  confirmation  of  the  loss  of 
the  Philadclpliia,  a  rumour  of  which  event  had  reached  him 
lower  down  the  coast.  The  Constitution  sailed  immediately 
for  Syracuse,  and  got  in  next  day. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1803,  Commodore  Preble,  after 
mi,\ing  his  preparations  and  disposing  of  his  force  in  different 


1803.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


175 


ways,  sailed  for  Tripoli,  with  the  Enterprise  in  company,  off 
which  place  he  now  appeared  for  the  first  time.  The  23d  of 
the  month,  the  Enterprise  12,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Deca- 
tur, fell  in  with  and  captured  a  ketch,  with  seventy  souls  on 
board.  This  ketch  had  been  a  French  gun-vessel  in  Egypt, 
that  had  been  taken  by  the  English  and  had  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  Tripolitans.  She  was  now  bound  to  Constanti- 
nople, with  a  present  of  female  slaves  for  the  Porte.  A  few 
days  after  this  prize  was  taken,  it  came  on  to  blow  heavily 
from  the  northeast,  and  finding  the  frigate  in  danger  of  being 
lost  on  the  coast,  at  that  tempestuous  season.  Commodore  Pre- 
ble returned  to  Syracuse ;  not,  however,  until  ho  had  recon- 
noitred his  enemy,  and  formed  his  plan  of  ojierations  for  the 
future.  Means  had  been  found  to  communicate  with  Captain 
Bainbridgc,  also ;  and  several  letters  were  received  from  that 
officer,  pointing  out  different  methods  of  annoying  the  enemy. 

In  a  h'ttcr  of  the  date  of  the  5th  of  December,  1803,  Cap- 
tain Hainbridgc  suggested  the  possibility  of  destroying  the 
Philadelphia,  which  ship  was  slowly  fitting  for  sea,  there  be- 
ing little  doubt  of  her  being  sent  out  as  a  cruiser,  as  soon  as 
the  mild  season  should  return.  Commodore  Preble  listened 
to  the  suggestion,  and  being  much  in  the  society  of  the  com- 
mander of  the  vessel  that  was  most  in  company  with  the  Con- 
stitution, Lieutenant  Stephen  Decatur,  he  mentioned  the  project 
to  that  spirited  officer.  The  expedition  was  just  suited  to  the 
ardour  and  temperament  of  Mr.  Decatur,  and  the  possession 
of  the  prize  at  once  afforded  the  means  of  carrying  it  into  effect. 
The  ketch  waj  accordingly  appraised,  named  the  Intrepid,  and 
taken  into  the  service,  as  a  tender.  About  this  time,  Lieute- 
nant Commandant  Stewart,  of  the  Siren,  the  officer  who  was 
then  second  in  command  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  who  had 
just  arrived  from  below,  offered  to  cut  out  the  Philadelphia 
with  his  own  brig ;  but  Commodore  Preble  was  pledged  to  Mr. 
DeCatur,  who,  at  first,  had  proposed  to  run  in  with  the  Enterjirise 
and  carry  the  ship.  The  more  experienced  Preble  rejected  the 
propositions  of  both  these  ardent  young  men,  substituting  a 
plan  of  his  own. 

Although  Commodore  Preble  declined  the  proposal  of  Mr. 
Decatur  to  carry  in  the  Enterprise,  the  projected  service  was 
assigned  to  the  commander  and  crew  of  that  schooner.  It 
being  necessary,  however,  to  leave  some  of  her  own  officers 
and  people  in  her,  a  selection  of  a  few  gentlemen  to  join 
in  the  expedition,  was  made  from  the  flag-ship,  and  orders  to 


176 


NAVAL     HI  S  TORY. 


[lbU4 


that  effect  were  issued  accordingly.  These  orders  were  dated 
February  the  3d,  1804,  and  they  directed  the  different  gentle- 
men named  to  report  themselves  to  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Decatur,  of  the  Enterprise.  As  it  was  intended  that  the  crew 
of  the  schooner  should  furnish  the  entire  crew  of  the  ketch,  it 
was  not  thought  proper  to  add  any  men  to  this  draft.  In  short, 
the  duty  was  strictly  assigned  to  the  Enterprise,  so  far  as  her 
complement  could  furnish  the  officers  required.  On  the  after- 
noon of  the  3d,  according  to  the  orders  they  had  just  received, 
Messrs.  Izard,  Morris,  Laws,  Davis,  and  Rowe,  midshipmen 
of  the  Constitution,  went  on  board  the  schooner,  and  reported 
themselves  for  duty  to  her  commander.  All  hands  were  now 
called  in  the  Enterprise,  when  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur 
acquainted  his  people  with  the  destination  of  the  ketch,  and 
asked  for  volunteers.  Every  man  and  boy  in  the  schooner 
presented  himself,  as  ready,  and  willing  to  go.  Sixty-two  of 
the  most  active  men  were  selected,  and  the  remainder,  with  a 
few  officers,  were  left  to  take  care  of  the  vessel.  As  the  orders 
to  desf  loy  the  frigate,  and  not  to  attempt  to  bring  her  out,  were 
peremptory,  the  combustibles,  which  had  been  prepared  for 
this  purpocc,  were  immediately  sent  on  board  the  Intrepid,  her 
crew  followed,  and  that  evening  the  ketch  sailed,  under  the 
convoy  of  the  Siren  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  who 
was  properly  the  senior  officer  of  the  expedition,  though,  owing 
to  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  service,  Mr.  Decatur  was  permitted 
to  conduct  the  more  active  part  of  the  duty,  at  his  own  discretion. 

The  party  in  the  ketch  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Decatur;  Lieutenants  Lawrence,  Bainbridge,  and  Thorn  ;  Mr. 
Thomas  M'Donough,*  midshipman,  and  Dr.  Heerman,  sur- 
geon ;  all  of  the  Enterprise  ; — Messrs.  Izard,  Morris,  Laws, 
Davis,  and  Rowe,  midshipmen  of  the  Constitution ;  and  Sal- 
vador Catalano  the  pilot,  with  sixty-two  petty  officers  and  com- 
mon men,  making  a  total  of  seventy-four  souls. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  the  accommodations 
were  none  of  the  best,  with  so  many  persons  cooped  up  in  a 
vessel  of  between  forty  and  fifty  tons ;  and  to  make  the  matter 
worse,  it  was  soon  found  that  the  salted  meat  put  on  board 
was  spoiled,  and  that  there  was  little  besides  bread  and  water  left 
to  subsist  on.     The  weather,  however,  was  pleasant,  and  the 


*  We.  Thomas  M'Dotiough,  afterwards  so  distinguished,  had  belonged 
io  the  Philadelphia,  but  escaped  captivity  by  being  left  at  Gibraltar  in  the 
priise  Meshboha. 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


177 


wind  favourable,  and  the  two  vessels  got  in  sight  of  Tripoli  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  9th.  To  prevent  suspicions,  the  Intrepid 
now  went  ahead  of  the  Siren ;  and  a  little  after  dark,  she  had 
stretched  in  quite  near  to  the  coast,  with  a  breeze  at  southwest, 
anchoring  about  a  mile  to  the  windward  of  the  town.  Shortly 
after,  the  Siren,  disguised,  brought-to  a  little  to  seaward  of  her. 
The  night  came  on  dark  and  threatening,  but  it  was  in  some 
respects  so  favourable  to  the  enterprise,  that  Mr.  Decatur  was 
reluctant  to  let  it  pass  without  making  the  attempt.  The  pilot, 
however,  pronounced  it  extremely  hazardous  to  venture  in 
among  the  rocks  at  that  moment,  as  he  thought  the  sea  must 
be  breaking  across  the  entrance,  by  which  it  was  proposed  to 
pass.  Under  the  circumstances,  Mr.  Decatur,  who  displayed 
as  much  conduct  and  prudence  as  daring  gallantly  throughout 
this  whole  affair,  sent  Mr.  Morris  and  the  pilot,  in  a  boat  with 
muflled  oars,  to  reconnoit'-e.  Thi?  young  officer  pulled  close 
up  to  the  western  passage,  and  ascertained  that  the  sea  was  so 
high  that  it  was,  in  fact,  breaking  entirely  across  the  entrance ; 
when  he  returned,  and  reported  that  it  would  be  hazardous  to 
go  in,  and  that  to  come  out  would  be  impossible. 

The  report  was  scarcely  needed,  for,  by  this  time,  the  wind 
had  risen  so  high,  and  so  much  sea  had  got  up,  that  in  hoisting 
in  the  boat,  it  was  stove,  and  when  the  anchor  was  weighed,  for 
it  was  necessary  to  get  off  the  land  as  soon  as  possible,  it  was 
found  to  be  broken.  The  Siren  had  anchored  a  little  without 
the  ketch,  and  had  hoisted  out  and  armed  her  boats,  which 
were  to  cover  the  retreat,  but  she,  too,  '.v;  s  compelled  to  get 
under  way,  by  the  increasing  violence  of  ;  .o  wind.  Several 
hours  were  employed  in  a  vain  attempt  to  get  her  anchor,  the 
brig  rolling  gimwales-to,  and  v.  good  many  of  her  people, 
together  with  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  wnro  hurt  by 
the  capstan's  running  away  with  t.-  bars.  In  the  end,  the 
weather  came  on  so  bad,  and  the  danger  of  being  seen  us  the 
day  dawned  was  so  much  increased,  that  the  anchor  and  cable 
were  left,  the  latter  having  been  cut  without  tlie  hawse-hole. 

So  sudden  and  violent  was  the  gale,  that  there  had  been  no 
communication  between  the  two  vessels,  the  Siren  having  no 
other  intimation  of  the  departure  of  the  ketch,  than  by  seeing 
her  light  as  she  stretched  out  to  sea.  Luckily,  the  wind  was 
well  to  the  westward,  and  both  vessels  got  an  offiny  before 
they  were  seen  from  Tripoli.  Here  they  lay-to,  with  their 
heads  off  shore,  certain  of  being  far  enough  to  leeward,  to  be 


I.  • 


178 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


[1804. 


out  of  sight  in  the  morning.  The  wind  began  to  haul  to  the 
northward,  and  the  gale  lasted  six  days,  during  which  time 
great  fears  were  entertained  of  the  ketch's  foundering  at  sea, 
or  of  her  being,  at  least,  driven  on  the  coast,  the  change  in  the 
wind  having  brought  the  vessels  on  a  lee  shore.  Before  the 
wind  abated,  they  were  driven  up  into  the  Gulf  of  Sydra,  where 
they  were  fairly  embayed. 

On  the  15th  the  weather  moderated,  and  the  brig  and  ketch, 
which  had  kept  in  company,  notwithstanding  the  gale,  endea- 
voured to  fetch  in  with  the  land,  and  in  the  course  of  the  night 
they  got  so  near,  as  to  reconnoitre  and  ascertain  their  position. 
Finding  themselves  too  far  to  the  eastward  to  effect  any  thing 
that  night,  they  hauled  off  again,  in  order  to  escape  detection. 
The  next  day,  about  noon,  calculating  that  they  were  abreast 
of  the  town,  and  the  wind  and  weather  being,  in  all  respects, 
favourable,  both  vessels  kept  away,  the  ketch  leading  some 
distance,  in  order  that  the  enemy  might  not  suppose  her  a 
consort  of  the  Siren's,  although  the  latter  was  so  much  dis- 
guised, as  to  render  it  impossible  to  recognise  her.  The  wind 
was  fair,  but  light,  and  every  thing  looking  favourable,  Mr. 
Decatur  now  seriously  made  his  dispositions  for  the  attack. 
Apprehensive  that  they  mighi,  have  been  seen,  and  that  the 
enemy  had  possibly  strengthened  the  party  on  board  the 
frigate.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart  sent  a  boat  and  eight 
men  from  the  Siren,  to  the  ketch,  under  the  orders  of  Mr.  An- 
derson, one  of  his  midsbipmen  ;  which  reinforcement  increased 
the  number  of  the  intended  assailants  to  eighty-two,  all  told. 

The  orders  of  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  were  clear 
and  simple.  The  spar-deck  was  first  to  be  carried,  then  the 
gun-deck ;  after  which  the  following  distribution  of  the  party 
was  made,  in  order  to  set  fire  to  the  ship.  Mr.  Decatur,  with 
Messrs.  Izard  and  Rowe,  and  fifteen  men,  was  to  keep  posses- 
sion of  the  upper  deck.  Mr.  Lawrence,  with  Messrs.  Laws 
and  M'Donough  and  ten  men,  was  to  repair  to  the  berth-deck 
and  forward  store-rooms.  Mr.  Bainbridge,  with  Mr.  Davis  and 
ten  men,  was  to  go  into  the  ward-room  and  steerage ;  Mr. 
Morris,  with  eight  men,  was  to  go  into  the  cockpit  and  after 
store-rooms ;  Mr.  Thorn,  with  the  gunner  and  surgeon,  and 
thirteen  men,  was  to  look  after  the  ketch ;  to  Mr.  Izard  was 
assigned  the  command  of  the  launch  should  she  be  needed  ;  and 
Mr.  Anderson,  with  the  Siren's  cutter,  was  to  secure  ail  boats 
alongside  of  the  ship,  and  to  prevent  'he  people  from  swim- 


[1804. 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


179 


ming  ashore,  with  directions,  however,  to  board  os  soon  as  the 
first  duty  was  performed. 

Fire-arms  were  to  be  used  only  in  the  last  extvemity,  and 
the  first  object  of  every  one  was  to  clear  the  upoer-deck  and 
gun-deck  of  the  enemy.  The  watch-word  was  "  Philadelphia." 
These  arrangements  were  plain  and  judieioub. 

As  the  ketch  drew  in  with  the  land,  the  ship  became  visible. 
She  lay  not  quite  a  mile  within  the  entrance,  riding  to  the 
wind,  and  abreast  of  the  town.  Her  fore-mast,  which  had 
been  cut  away  while  she  was  on  the  reef,  had  not  yet  been 
replaced,  her.  main  and  mizzen-top-masts  were  housed,  and 
her  lower  yards  were  on  the  gunwales.  Her  lower  standing 
rigging,  however,  was  in  its  place,  and,  as  was  shortly  after- 
wards ascertained,  her  guns  were  loaded  and  shotted.  Just 
within  her,  lay  two  corsairs,  with  a  few  gun-boats,  and  a  gal- 
ley or  two. 

It  was  a  mild  evening  for  the  season,  and  the  sea  and  bay 
were  smooth  as  in  summer;  as  unlike  as  possible  to  the  same 
place  a  few  days  previously,  when  the  two  vessels  had  been 
driven  from  the  enterprise  by  a  tempest.  Perceiving  that  he 
was  likely  to  get  iu  too  soon,  when  about  five  miles  fron<  the 
rocks,  M^.  Decatur  ordered  buckets  and  other  drags  to  be  towed 
astern,  in  order  to  lessen  the  way  of  the  ketch,  without  short- 
ening sail;  as  the  latter  expedient  would  have  been  seen  from 
the  port,  and  must  have  awakened  suspicion.  In  the  mean 
time  the  wind  gradually  fell,  until  it  became  so  light  as  to  leave 
the  ketch  but  about  two  knots'  way  on  her,  when  the  drags 
were  removed. 

About  10  o'clock  the  Intrepid  reached  the  eastern  entrance 
of  the  bay,  or  the  passage  between  the  rocks  and  the  shoal. 
The  wind  was  nearly  east,  and,  as  she  steered  directly  for  the 
frigate,  it  was  well  abaft  the  beam.  There  was  a  young  moon, 
and  as  these  bold  adv^  .iturers  were  slowly  advancing  into  the 
hostile  port,  all  around  them  was  tranquil  and  apparently  with- 
out distrust.  For  near  an  hour  they  were  stealing  slowly 
along,  the  air  gradually  failing,  until  their  motion  became 
scarcely  perceptible. 

Most  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  ketch  had  been  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  deck,  where  they  were  concealed  by  low  bulwarks, 
or  weather-boards,  and  by  the  different  objects  that  belong  to 
a  vessel.  As  it  is  the  practice  of  those  seas,  to  carry  many 
men  even  in  the  smallest  craft,  the  appearance  of  ten  or  twelve 
would  excite  no  alarm,  and  this  number  was  visible.     The 


1(1 


180 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1804. 


commanding  officer,  himself,  stood  neur  the  pilot,  Mr.  Caiala- 
no,*  who  was  to  act  as  interpreter.  Tlie  (juartcr-master  at  the 
helm,  'vas  ordered  to  stand  directly  for  the  frigate's  bows,  it 
being  the  intention  to  lay  the  shij)  aboard  in  that  place,  as  the 
mode  of  attack  which  would  least  expose  tho  assailants  to  her 
fire. 

The  Intrepid  was  still  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
Philadelphia,  when  tho  latter  hailed.  The  pilot  answered  that 
tho  ketch  belonged  to  Malta,  and  was  on  a  trading  voyage ; 
that  she  had  been  nearly  wrecked,  and  had  lost  her  anchors 
in  the  late  gale,  and  that  her  commander  wished  to  ride  by  the 
frigate  during  the  night.  This  conversation  ias'ted  some  lime, 
Mr.  Decatur  instructing  the  pilot  to  tf;ll  the  frigate's  people 
with  what  ho  was  laden,  in  order  to  amuse  them,  and  the  In- 
trej)id  gradually  drew  nearer,  until  there  was  every  prospect 
of  her  running  foul  of  the  Philadelphia,  in  a  niinute  or  two, 
and  at  the  very  spot  contemplated.  But  the  wind  suddenly 
shifted,  and  took  the  ketch  aback.  The  instant  the  southerly 
puff  struck  her,  her  head  fell  oft*,  and  she  got  a  stern-hoard ; 
the  ship,  at  the  same  moment,  tending  to  the  new  current  of 
air.  The  eftect  of  this  unexpected  change  was  to  bring  tho 
ketch  directly  under  the  frigate's  broadside,  at  the  distance  of 
about  forty  yards,  where  she  lay  perfectly  becalmed,  or,  if 
any  thing,  drifting  slowly  astern,  exposed  to  nearly  every  one 
of  the  Philadelphia's  larboard  guns. 

Not  the  smallest  suspicion  appears  to  have  been  yet  excited 
on  l)oard  the  frigate,  though  several  of  her  people  were  look- 
ing over  the  rails,  and  notwithstanding  •  the  moonlight.  So 
completely  were  the  Turks  deceived,  that  they  lowered  a  boat, 
and  sent  it  with  a  fast.  Some  of  the  ketch's  men,  in  the  mean 
time,  had  got  into  her  boat,  a  ad  had  run  a  line  to  the  frigate's 
fore-chains.  As  they  returned,  they  met  the  frigate's  boat, 
took  the  fast  it  brought,  which  came  from  the  after  part  of  the 
ship,  and  passf^d  it  in<o  their  own  vessel.  These  fasts  were 
put  into  the  i.  nds  of  the  men,  as  they  lay  on  the  ketch's 
deck,  and  they  ))cgan  cautiously  o  breast  the  Intrepid  along- 
side of  the  Philadelphia,  without  rising.  As  soon  as  tho  latter 
got  near  enough  to  the  ship,  the  Turks  discovered  her  anchors, 
and  they  sternly  ordered  the  ketch  to  keep  olF,  as  she  had  de- 
ceived them ;  preparing,  at  the  same  time,  to  cut  the  fasts. 
AH  this  passed  in  a  moment,  when  the  cry  of  ••  Amerikanos" 

*  Now  a  sailing-master  in  the  navy. 


!   i 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


181 


was  heard  in  the  ship.  The  people  of  the  Intrepid,  by  a  strong 
pull,  brought  their  vessel  alongside  of  the  frigate,  where  she 
was  secured,  quick  as  thougiht.  Up  to  this  moment,  not  a 
whisper  had  betrayed  the  presence  of  the  men  concealed. 
The  in3tructioi:3  had  been  positive  to  keep  quiefr  until  com- 
manded to  show  themselves ;  and  no  precipitation,  even  in  that 
trying  moment,  deranged  the  plan. 

Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  was  standing  ready  for  a 
spring,  with  Messrs.  Laws  and  Morris  quite  near  him.  As 
soon  as  close  enough,  he  jumped  at  the  frigate's  chain-plates, 
and  while  clinging  to  the  ship  himself,  he  gave  the  order  to 
board.  The  two  midshipmen  were  at  his  si  ie,  and  all  the  offi- 
cers and  men  of  the  Intrepid  arose  and  fohowed.  The  three 
gentlemen  named  were  in  the  chains  together,  and  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Decatur  and  Mr.  Morris  sprang  at  the  rail  above 
them,  while  Mr.  Laws  dashed  at  a  port.  To  the  latter  would 
have  belonged  the  honour  of  having  been  first  in  this  gallant 
asdault,  but  wearing  a  boarding-belt,  his  pistols  were  caught 
between  the  gun  and  the  side  of  the  port.  Mr.  Decatur's  foot 
slipped  in  springing,  and  Mr.  Charles  Morris  first  stood  upon 
the  quarter-deck  of  the  Philadelphia.  In  an  instant,  Lieu- 
tenant Commandant  Decatur  and  Mr.  Laws  were  at  his  side, 
while  heads*  and  bodies  appeared  coming  over  the  rail,  and 
through  the  ports  in  all  directions. 

The  surprise  apivars  to  have  been  as  perfect,  as  the  assault 
was  rapid  and  earnest.  Most  of  the  Turks  on  deck  crowded 
forward,  and  11  ran  over  to  the  starboard-side,  as  their  ene- 
mies pourtxl  in  on  the  larl::'^'"i!  A  few  were  aft,  but  as  soon 
as  charged,  they  leaped  into  the  sea.  Indeed,  tho  constant 
plunges  into  the  water,  gave  the  assailants  the  assuran'^e  that 
their  enemies  weie  fast  lessening  in  numixirs  by  flight.  It 
took  but  a  minute  or  two  to  clear  the  spar-deck,  though  there 
was  more  of  a  struggle  below.  Still,  so  admirably  managed 
was  the  attack,  and  so  cx)niplete  the  surprise,  that  the  resist- 
ance was  trifling.  In  less  than  ten  minut«3s  Mr.  Decatur  was 
on  the  quarter-deck  again,  in  undisturbed  possession  of  his 
prize. 

Thero  can  t*  no  doubt  that  this  gallant  officer  now  felt  bit- 
ter regrets  that  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  bring  awav  the  ship 
he  had  so  nobly  recovered.  Not  only  were  his  orders  on  this 
point  peremptory,  however,  but  the  frigate  had  not  a  sail  bent, 
nor  a  yard  crossed,  and  she  wanted  her  foremast.  It  was 
16 


\ 


11 


.1 

H 


■  (I 


182 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


L1804. 


next  to  impossible,  therefore,  to  remove  her,  and  the  command 
was  given  to  pass  up  the  combustibles  from  the  ketch. 

The  duty  of  setting  fire  to  the  prize,  appears  to  have  been 
executed  with  as  much  promptitude  and  order,  as  every  other 
part  of  the  service.  The  officers  distributed  theniaelvcs, 
agreeably  to  the  previous  instructions,  and  the  men  soon  ap- 
peared with  the  necessary  means.  Each  party  acted  by  itself, 
and  as  it  got  ready.  So  rapid  were  thny  all  in  their  move- 
ments, that  the  men  with  combustibles  had  scarcely  time  to 
get  as  low  as  the  cock-pit  and  after-store-rooms,  before  the 
fires  were  lighted  over  their  heads.  When  the  officer  entrusted 
with  the  duty  last  mentioned  had  got  through,  he  ft)und  the 
after-hatches  filled  with  smoke,  from  the  fire  in  the  ward-room 
and  steerage,  and  he  was  obliged  to  make  his  escape  by  the 
forward  ladders. 

The  Americans  were  in  the  ship  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
minutes,  and  they  were  literally  driven  out  of  her  by  the 
flames.  The  vessel  had  got  to  be  so  dry  in  that  low  latitude, 
that  she  burnt  like  pine ;  and  the  combustibles  had  been  as 
judiciously  prepared,  as  they  were  steadily  used.  The  last 
party  up,  were  the  people,  who  had  been  in  the  store-rooms, 
and  when  they  reached  the  deck,  they  found  most  of  their 
companions  already  in  the  Intrepid.  Joining  them,  and  ascer- 
taining that  all  was  ready,  the  order  was  given  to  cast  oiY. 
Notwithstanding  the  daring  character  of  the  enterprise  in  gene- 
ral, Mr.  Decatur  and  his  party  now  ran  the  greatest  risk  they 
had  incurred  that  night.  So  fierce  had  the  conflagration  al- 
ready become,  that  the  flames  began  to  pour  out  of  the  ports, 
and  the  head-fast  having  been  cast  off,  the  ketch  fell  astern, 
with  her  jigger  flapping  against  the  quarter-gallery,  and  her 
boom  foul.  The  fire  showed  itself  in  the  window  at  this  criti- 
cal moment ;  and  beneath,  was  all  the  ammunition  of  the 
party,  covered  with  a  tarpaulin.  To  increase  the  risk,  the 
stern-fast  was  jammed.  By  using  swords,  however,  for  there 
was  not  time  to  look  for  an  axe,  the  hawser  was  cut,  and  the 
Intrepid  was  extricated  from  the  most  imminent  danger,  by  a 
vigorous  shove.  As  she  swung  clear  of  the  frigate,  the  flames 
reached  the  rigging,  up  which  they  went  hissing,  like  a  rocket, 
the  tar  having  oo'^ied  from  the  ropes,  which  had  been  saturated 
with  that  inflammable  matter.  Matches  could  not  have  kindled 
with  greater  quickness. 

The  sweeps  were  now  manned.  Up  to  this  moment,  every 
thing  had  been  done  earnestly,  though  without  noise,  but  as 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


183 


soon  as  they  felt  that  they  had  got  command  of  their  ketch 
again,  and  by  two  or  three  vigorous  strokes  had  sent  )ier  away 
from  the  frigate,  the  people  of  the  Intrepid  ceased  rowing,  and 
us  one  man,  they  gave  throe  cheers  for  victory.  This  appeared 
to  arouse  the  Turks  from  their  stupor ;  for  the  cry  had  hardly 
ended,  when  the  batteries,  the  two  corsairs,  and  the  galley, 
poured  in  llieir  fire.  The  men  laid  hold  of  the  sweeps  again, 
of  which  the  Intrepid  had  eight  of  a  side,  and  'livoured  by  a 
light  air,  they  went  rapidly  down  the  harbour. 

The  spectacle  that  followed,  is  described  as  ha  ing  been 
both  beautiful  and  sublime.  The  entire  bay  was  illuminated 
by  the  conflagration,  the  roar  of  cannon  was  constant,  and 
Tripoli  was  in  a  clamour.  The  appearance  of  the  ship  was, 
in  the  highest  degree,  magnificent ;  and,  to  add  to  the  effect, 
as  her  guns  heated,  they  began  to  go  off.  Owing  to  the  shift 
of  wind,  and  the  position  into  which  she  had  tended,  she,  in 
some  measure,  returned  the  enemy's  fire,  as  one  of  her  broad- 
sides was  discharged  in  the  direction  of  the  town,  and  the 
other  towards  Fort  English.  The  most  singular  effect  of  this 
conflagration  was  on  1  oavd  the  ship,  wliere  the  flames  having 
run  up  the  rigging  and  masts,  collected  under  the  tops,  and  fell 
over,  giving  the  v/hole  the  appearance  of  glowing  columns  and 
fiery  capitals. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances,  the  situation  of  the  ketch 
would  still  have  been  thought  sufficiently  perilouB,  but  after  the 
exploit  they  had  just  performed,  her  people,  elated  with  suc- 
cess, regarded  all  that  was  now  passing  as  a  triumphal  spec- 
tacle. The  shot  constantly  cast  the  spray  around  them,  or 
were  whistling  over  their  heads ;  but  the  only  sensation  they 
produced,  was  by  calling  attention  to  the  brilliant  Jets  d^eau 
that  they  occasioned  as  they  bounded  along  the  water.  But 
one  struck  the  Intrepid,  although  she  was  within  half  a  mile  of 
many  of  the  heaviest  guns  for  some  time,  and  that  passed 
through  her  top-gallant-sail. 

With  sixteen  sweeps,  and  eighty  men  elated  with  success, 
Mr.  Decatur  was  enabled  to  drive  the  little  Intrepid  ahead  with 
a  velocity  that  rendered  towing  useless.  Near  the  harbour's 
mouth,  he  met  the  Siren's  boats,  sent  to  cover  his  retreat,  but 
their  services  were  scarcely  necessary.  As  soon  as  thu  ketch 
was  out  of  danger,  he  got  into  one,  and  pulled  aboard  the  brig, 
to  report  to  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  the  result  of  his 
undertaking. 

The  Siren  had  got  into  the  offing  some  time  after  the  Intrc< 


184 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


(1804. 


■tf* 


'!0 


pid,  agrooably  to  urrniigcmcMit,  unci  anchored  ubout  tI»foe  milea 
from  tlio  rocks.  Iloro  sh<:  lioisted  out  llic  launch  and  u  cutter, 
nmiincd  and  urnicd  them,  und  scut  thcni  in,  und«^r  Mr.  Cald- 
,.4"»  well,  licr  first  lieutenant.  Soon  uflcr  the  brig  weighed,  nnd 
the  wind  having  entirely  failed  outside,  she  swept  into  einht 
fathoms  water,  and  anchored  again,  to  cover  the  retreat,  s'  Id 
the  enemy  attempt  to  board  the  Intrepid,  with  his  gun-b  m. 
It  will  readily  be  supposed  that  it  wus  un  anxious  moment,  nd 
as  the  m(X)n  rose,  all  eyes  were  on  the  Irigato.  Aik'r  waiting 
in  intense  expeutation  near  an  hour,  a  rocket  went  up  from  tho 
Philadelphia.  It  wus  the  signal  of  possession,  und  Mr.  Stew- 
art ran  l>elow  to  get  another  for  the  answer.  lie  wus  gone 
only  a  moment,  but  when  he  returned,  tho  lire  was  seen 
shining  through  the  frigate's  ports,  and  in  a  few  more  minutes, 
the  flames  were  rushing  up  her  rigging,  as  if  a  train  hud  l.>eeu 
touched.  Then  followed  the  cannonade,  and  the  dashing  of 
sweeps,  with  the  approach  of  the  ketch.  Presently  a  b<jat  was 
seen  coming  alongside,  and  a  man,  in  a  sailor's  jacket,  sprung 
over  the  gangway  of  the  brig.  It  wus  Decatur,  to  announcu 
his  victory ! 

The  ketch  and  brig  lay  near  each  other,  for  about  an  hour, 
when  a  .'v'.V^'ftg  and  favourable  wind  arose,  and  they  made  sail 
for  Syduii*3i)i.  \Jihich  port  they  reached  on  the  19th.  Here  tho 
partj  w.;js  rceived  with  salutes  and  congratulations,  by  the 
Sicii-an.';,  v/hi>s\vcre  also  at  war  with  Tripoli,  as  well  as  by 
their  own  ci/untrymcn. 

Tho  success  of  this  gallant  exploit  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
name  which  Mr.  Decatur  subsequently  acquired  in  the  navy. 
The  country  generally  applauded  the  feat ;  and  the  command- 
ing officer  was  raised  from  the  station  of  a  lieutenant  to  that 
of  a  captain.  Most  of  the  midshipmen  engaged,  were  also  pro- 
moted,  and  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  received  a  sword. 

The  Philadelphia  was  a  frigate  of  the  class  that  the  English 
termed  a  thirty-eight,  prcvktusly  to  the  war  of  1812.  Her 
armament  consisted  of  28  eightcf^ns,  on  her  gun  deck,  and  of 
16  carronades  and  chase  guns,  above ;  or  of  44  guns  in  the 
whole.  No  correct  estimate  has  probably  ever  been  made  of 
the  number  of  men  in  her,  when  she  was  recaptured.  Twenty 
were  reported  to  have  been  killed,  and  one  boat  loaded  with 
Turks  is  said  to  have  escaped ;  many  also  swam  ashore,  or  to 
the  nearest  cruisers.  Some,  no  doubt,  secreted  themselves  be- 
low, of  whom  the  greater  part  must  have  perished  in  the  ship, 
as  the  party  that  set  fire  to  the  after-store-rooms  had  difficulty 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


185 


hinp  was  deranged ;  no- 

"n,  and  no  doubt  it 

ooats,  and  batteries, 

iicing  their  fire,  and 

^  u)  i  open  on  the  Ameri- 


in  escaping  from  the  flames.  But  one  prisoner  was  made,  a 
wounded  Turk,  who  took  refuge  in  the  ketch.  On  the  part  of 
the  Americans  but  a  single  man  was  hurt. 

In  whatever  light  we  regard  this  exploit,  it  extorts  our  admi- 
ration and  praise ;  the  boldness  in  the  conception  of  the  enter- 
prise, being  even  surpassed  by  the  perfect  manner  in  which  all 
its  parts  were  executed.  Nothin;  ipears  to  have  been  want- 
ing, in  a  military  point  of  view 
thing  deleated.  The  hour 
was  a  chief  reason  why  the  cr 
were,  in  the  first  place,  so  slov 
so  uncertain  in  their  aim  when 

cans.  In  appreciating  the  daring  of  the  attempt,  we  have  only 
to  consider  what  might  have  been  the  consequences  had  the 
assault  on  the  frigute  be^  ii  repulsed.  Directly  under  her  guns, 
with  a  harbour  filled  uith  light  cruisers,  gun-boats,  and  gal- 
leys, and  surrounded  by  forts  and  batteries,  the  inevitable  de- 
struction of  all  in  the  Intrepid  must  have  followed.  These 
were  dangers  that  ool  steadiness  and  entire  self- possession, 
aided  by  per(ect  discipline,  could  alone  avert.  In  the  service, 
the  enterprise  has  ever  been  regarded  as  one  of  its  most  brilliant 
achievements ;  and  to  this  day,  it  is  deemed  a  high  honour 
to  have  been  one  among  the  Intrepid's  crew.  The  effect  on 
the  squadron  then  abroad  can  scarcely  be  appreciated  ;  as  its 
seanen  iKJgan  to  consider  themselves  iiivixjicible,  if  not  invul- 
nerable, and  were  ready  for  any  service  in  which  men  could 
be  employer! . 


CHAPTER  XX. 


Thus  opened  the  year  1804.  The  great  distance,  however, 
that  lay  between  the  seat  of  war  and  the  country,  as  well  as 
the  infrequency  of  direct  communications,  prevented  the  gov- 
ernment at  home,  from  getting  early  information  of  what  was 
passing  in  the  Mediterranean.  As  a  consequence,  at  the  very 
moment  when  Commodore  Preble  was  beginning  to  show  that 
energy  for  which  he  was  so  remarkable,  the  department  ws 
making  preparations  for  superseding  him  in  the  conimand ;  not 
16^ 


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186 


NATAL     HISTORY. 


[1804 


. 


from  dissatisfaction,  but,  as  was  then  believed,  from  necessity. 
There  were  but  three  captains  in  the  navy  junior  to  Preble,  and 
one  of  these  was  a  captive  in  Tripoli.  The  loss  of  the  Phila< 
delphia  had  rendered  it  indispensable  to  send  out  another  fri- 
gate, at  least ;  and  the  administration  had  now  begun  to  take  so 
serious  a  view  of  the  state  of  the  relations  of  the  country  with 
all  the  Barbary  powers,  as  to  see  the  importance  of  exhibiting 
a  force  that  should  look  down  any  further  attempts  on  a  trade, 
which,  in  consequence  of  the  general  wa.  that  prevailed  in 
Europe,  was  beginning  to  whiten  the  seas  of  the  old  world 
with  American  canvass.  The  Emperor  of  Morocco,  who  was 
said  to  be  a  relative  of  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  was  distrusted 
in  particular,  and  many  little  occurrences  had  served  to  prove 
the  interest  that  the  former  felt  in  the  affairs  of  the  latter. 

The  ships  that  it  was  now  decided  to  send  into  the  Mediter- 
ranean, were  the  President  44,  Congress  38,  Constellation  38, 
and  Essex  32.  They  were  put  in  commission  early  in  the 
season,  and  as  soon  as  the  choice  was  made,  Commodore  Pre- 
ble was  apprised  of  it,  and  of  the  necessity  that  existed  of  send- 
ing out  two  officers  who  were  his  seniors  in  rank.  About  the 
same  time,  Mr.  Decatur  was  made  a  captain,  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Philadelphia,  and  the  service  received  an  important 
impulse  in  the  revival  of  the  rank  of  masters  and  command- 
ers, which  had  been  dropped  altogether,  under  the  reduction 
Jaw  of  1801.         ^ 

The  Siren  and  intrepid  returned  to  Syracuse,  after  the  suc- 
cessful attempt  on  the  Philadelphia,  on  the  19th  of  February 
of  this  year.  On  the  2d  of  March,  Commodore  Preble,  who 
had  so  divided  his  force  as  to  keep  some  of  the  small  vessels  off 
Tripoli  blockading,  proceeded  to  Malta,  and  on  his  return,  he 
sailed  again,  on  the  21st,  for  the  station  off  the  enemy's  port. 
The  Siren  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart,  and  Nautilus 
12,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Somers,  were  the  blockading  ves- 
sels at  this  time,  and,  early  one  morning,  while  coming  from 
the  eastward  to  recover  lost  ground,  a  vessel  with  the  appear- 
ance of  a  brig  of  war,  was  seen  lying-to  in  the  offing.  As  soon 
as  he  made  the  Americans,  the  stranger  endeavoured  to  beat 
back  into  the  harbour  again,  out  of  which  he  had  lately  come, 
but,  the  Nautilus  being  sent  close  in  to  employ  the  gun-boats, 
should  they  attempt  to  come  out,  the  Siren  cuthim  off  from  the 
port,  and  soon  got  alongside.  This  vessel  proved  to  be  the 
Transfer,  a  privateer  out  of  Malta,  with  a  British  commission, 
and  she  had  an  armament  of  16  carronades,  and  a  crew  of  80 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


187 


men.  When  the  Siren  ran  alongside,  the  Transfer's  people 
were  at  quarters ;  but,  no  resistance  being  attempted,  she  was 
captured  for  a  violation  of  the  blockade.  Subsequent  informa- 
tion induced  Commodore  Preble  to  believe  that  she  belonged,  in 
fact,  to  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  and  that  the  commission  under 
which  she  sailed  was  obtained  by  means  of  the  Tripolitan  con- 
sul in  Malta,  who  was  a  native  of  that  island,  and  for  whose 
appearance  on  board  the  brig  was  actually  waiting  when  taken. 

As  the  Transfer  had  been  an  English  gun-brig,  and  was 
equipped  for  war.  Commodore  Preble  sent  her  to  Syracuse, 
where  she  was  appraised,  manned,  and  taken  into  the  service 
for  the  time  being.  She  was  called  the  Scourge,  and  the  com- 
mand of  her  was  given  to  Lieutenant  Commandant  Dent,  the 
acting  captain  of  the  Constitution. 

Remaining  off  Tripoli  a  few  days.  Commodore  Preble  was 
next  actively  employed  in  running  from  port  to  port,  in  order 
to  look  into  the  affairs  of  the  different  regencies,  to  communi- 
cate with  the  captives  in  Tripoli,  and  to  make  his  arrangements 
for  pursuing  a  warfare  better  suited  to  bringing  the  bashaw  to 
terms.  The  king  of  the  Two  Sicilies  being  at  war  with  Tri- 
poli, also,  in  furtherance  of  the  latter  duty,  the  Constitution 
went  to  Naples,  in  order  to  obtain  some  assistance  in  executing 
these  projects.  Here  an  order  for  two  bomb-vessels  and  six 
gun-boats  was  obtained,  with  the  necessary  equipments  ;  and 
Commodore  Preble  sailed  for  Messina,  where  the  different  craft 
lay.  From  this  time  until  the  middle  of  July,  he  was  as  ac- 
tively engaged  as  ever,  in  providing  for  the  wants  of  the  cap- 
tives, in  settling  a  serious  difficulty  with  Tunis,  and  in  preparing 
for  an  attack  on  Tripoli ;  and  we  shall  quit  him,  for  a  moment, 
to  return  to  the  movements  before  that  place. 

In  April,  the  Siren,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Stewart ;  Ar- 
gus, Lieutenant  Commandant  Hull;  Enterprise,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Decatur;  Vixen,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Smith, 
and  Scourge,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Dent,  composed  the 
blockading  force,  when  a  felucca  was  seen  stealing  along 
shore,  coming  from  the  westward,  with  a  view  to  enter  the  har- 
bour in  a  fog.  A  general  chase  ensued,  and  the  felucca  took 
refuge  behind  a  reef  of  rocks,  about  ten  miles  to  the  westward 
of  Tripoli,  where  she  was  run  upon  a  beach  of  sand.  The  Si- 
ren now  made  a  signal  for  the  boats  to  go  in,  in  order  to  des- 
troy the  enemy.  Mr.  Caldwell,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Siren, 
being  nearest  in,  went  ahead  with  the  launch  and  cutter  of  that 
brig,  while  the  others  followed  as  the  vessels  came  up.    As  he 


■r»4 


188 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1804. 


approached  the  shore,  the  boat  of  Mr.  Caldwell  got  on  a  sunken 
rock,  and  the  enemy,  who  had  begun  to  collect  in  force,  parti- 
cularly in  cavalry,  opened  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry.  Several 
of  the  Americans  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  perceiving  that 
the  enemy  were  both  too  strong  and  too  well  posted  to  be  at- 
tacked  by  so  feeble  a  force,  Mr.  Caldwell  returned,  directing 
the  different  boats,  as  he  met  them,  to  retire  also. 

The  Argus  and  schooners  now  obtained  positions  where  they 
could  throw  their  shot  into  the  felucca,  which  was  soon  ren- 
dered unseaworthy.  While  this  was  doing,  the  Siren  ran 
down,  opened  a  ravine  in  which  the  Turks  were  posted,  and 
dislodged  them  by  a  smart  discharge  of  grape.  Afterwards,  a 
broadside  or  two  were  thrown  in  antiong  a  strong  body  of  cav- 
alry, which  had  the  effect  of  rendering  them  cautious  in  their 
operations  on  the  coast.  This  little  affair  illustrates  the  nature 
of  the  ordinary  warfare  that  was  then  carried  on,  the  Tripoli- 
tans  seeding  out  bodies  of  soldiers  to  cover  any  vessel  that  was 
expected  with  supplies.  On  this  occasion,  the  felucca  was  said 
to  be  loaded  with  salt,  an  article  that  then  bore  an  enormous 
price  in  Tripoli. 

It  was  July  the  21st,  1804,  when  Commodore  Preble  was 
able  to  sail  from  Malta,  with  all  the  force  he  had  collected,  to 
join  the  vessels  cruising  off  Tripoli.  The  blockade  had  been 
kept  up  with  vigour  for  some  months,  and  the  Commodore  felt 
that  the  season  had  nov/  arrived  for  more  active  operations. 
He  had  with  him  the  Constitution,  Enterprise,  Nautilus,  the 
two  bomb- vessels,  and  the  six  gun-boats.  The  bomb  wis 
were  of  only  thirty  tons  measurement,  and  carried  a  t  ^n- 
inch  mortar  each.  In  scarcely  any  respect  were  Ihey  suited 
for  the  duty  that  was  expected  of  them.  The  gun-boats  were 
little  better,  being  shallow,  unseaworthy  crafS  jf  about  twenty- 
five  tons  burthen,  in  which  long  iron  twenty.fours  had  been 
mounted.  Each  boat  had  one  gun,  and  thirty-five  men ;  the 
latter,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  Neapolitans,  being  taken 
from  the  different  vessels  of  the  squadron.  The  Tripolitan 
gun-boats,  which  have  already  been  described,  were  altoge- 
ther superior,  and  the  duty  should  have  been  exactly  reversed, 
in  order  to  suit  the  qualities  of  the  respective  crafl ;  the  boats 
of  Tripoli  having  been  built  to  go  on  the  coast,  while  those 
possessed  by  the  Americans  were  intended  solely  for  harbour 
defence.  In  addition  to  their  other  bad  qualities,  these  Neapo- 
litan boats  were  found  neither  to  sail  nor  to  row  even  tolerably 
well.    It  was  necessary  to  tow  them,  by  larger  vessels,  the 


1804.] 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y. 


189 


moment  they  got  into  rough  water ;  and  when  it  blew  heavily, 
there  was  always  danger  of  dragging  them  ander.  In  addition 
to  this  force,  Commodore  Preble  had  obtained  six  long  twenty- 
six  pounders  for  the  upper-deck  of  the  Constitution,  which  were 
mounted  in  the  waist. 

When  the  American  commander  assembled  his  whole  force 
before  Tripoli,  on  the  25th  of  July,  1804,  it  consisted  of  the 
Constitution  44,  Commodore  Preble;  Siren  16,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Stewart;  Argus  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Hull;  Scourge  14,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Dent;  Vixen  12, 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Smith;  Nautilus  12,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Somers;  Enterprise  12,  Lieutenant  Comnandant 
Decatur ;  the  two  bomb-vessels,  and  six  gun-boats.  In  some 
respects  this  was  a  well-appointed  force  for  the  duty  required, 
while  in  others  it  was  lamentably  deficient.  Another  heavy 
ship,  in  particular,  was  wanted,  and  the  means  for  bombarding 
had  all  the  defects  that  may  be  anticipated.  The  two  heaviest 
brigs  had  armaments  of  twenty-four-pound  carronades;  the 
other  brig,  and  two  of  the  schooners,  armaments  of  eighteen- 
pound  carronades ;  while  the  Enterprise  retained  her  original 
equipment  of  long  sixes,  in  consequence  of  her  ports  being 
unsuited  to  the  new  guns.  As  the  Constitution  had  a  gun- 
deck  battery  of  thirty  long  twenty-fours,  with  six  long  twenty- 
sixes,  and  some  lighter  long  guns  above,  it  follows  that  the 
Americans  could  bring  twenty-two  twenty -fours  and  six  twenty- 
sixes  to  bear  on  the  stone  walls  of  the  town,  in  addition  to  a 
few  light  chase-guns  in  the  small  vessels,  and  the  twelve- 
pounders  of  the  frigate's  quarter-deck  and  forecastle.  On  the 
whole,  there  appears  to  have  been  in  the  squadron,  twenty- 
eight  heavy  long  guns,  with  about  twenty  lighter,  that  might 
be  brought  to  play  on  the  batteries  simultaneously.  Opposed  to 
these  means  of  ofience,  the  bashaw  had  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
guns  in  battery,  most  of  them  quite  heavy,  and  nineteen  gun- 
boats that,  of  themselves,  so  far  as  metal  was  concerned,  were 
nearly  equal  to  the  frigate.  Moored  in  the  harbour  were  also 
two  large  galleys,  two  schooners,  and  a  brig,  all  of  which 
were  armed  and  strongly  manned.  The  American  squadron 
was  manned  by  one  thousand  and  sixty  persons,  all  told,  while 
the  bashaw  had  assembled  a  force  that  has  been  estimated  as 
high  as  twenty-five  thousand,  Arabs  and  Turks  included.  The 
only  advantage  possessed  by  the  assailants,  in  the  warfare  that 
was  so  soon  to  follow,  were  those  which  are  dependent  on  spirit, 
discipline,  and  system. 


190 


NAVAL     HISTORV 


[1804. 


The  vessels  could  not  anchor  until  the  28th,  when  they  ran 
in,  with  the  wind  at  E.  S.  E.,  and  came-to,  by  signal,  about  a 
league  from  the  town.  This  was  hardly  done,  however,  before 
the  wind  came  suddenly  round  to  N.  N.  W.,  thence  to  N.  N. 
E.,  and  it  began  to  blow  strong,  with  a  heavy  sea  setting 
directly  on  shore.  At  6  P.  M.,  a  signal  was  made  for  the  ves- 
sels to  weigh,  and  to  gain  an  offing.  Fortunately,  the  wind 
continued  to  haul  to  the  eastward,  or  there  would  have  been 
great  danger  of  towing  the  gun-boats  under,  while  carrying 
sail  to  claw  off  the  land.  The  gale  continued  to  increase  until 
the  31st,  when  it  blew  tremendously.  The  courses  of  the 
Constitution  were  blown  away,  though  reefed,  and  it  would 
have  been  impossible  to  save  the  bomb-vessels  and  gun-boats, 
had  not  the  wind  hauled  so  far  to  the  southward  as  to  give 
them  the  advantage  of  a  weather  shore,  and  of  comparatively 
smooth  water.     Fortunately,  the  gale  ceased  the  next  day. 

On  the  third  of  August,  1804,  the  squadron  ran  in  again 
and  got  within  a  league  of  the  town,  with  a  pleasant  breeze  at 
the  eastward.  The  enemy's  gun-boats  and  galleys  had  come 
outside  of  the  rocks,  and  were  lyin^  there  in  two  divisions ; 
one  near  the  eastern,  and  the  other  near  the  western  entrance, 
or  about  half  a  mile  apart.  At  the  same  time,  it  was  seen  that 
all  the  batteries  were  manned,  ns  if  an  attack  was  not  only 
expected,  but  invited. 

At  half-past  12,  the  Constitution  wore  with  her  head  off 
shore,  and  showed  a  signal  for  all  vessels  to  come  within  hail. 
As  he  came  up,  each  commander  was  ordered  to  prepare  to 
attack  the  shipping  and  batteries.  The  bomb-vessels  and  gun- 
boats were  immediately  manned,  and  such  was  the  high  state 
of  discipline  in  the  squadron,  that  in  one  hour,  every  thing  was 
ready  for  the  contemplated  service. 

On  this  occasion.  Commodore  Preble  made  the  following 
distribution  of  that  part  of  his  force,  which  was  manned  from 
the  other  vessels  of  his  squadron. 

One  bomb-ketch  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Command- 
ant  Dent,  of  the  Scourge. 

The  other  bomb- ketch  was  commanded  by  Mr.  Robinson, 
first  lieutenant  of  the  Constitution. 

First  Division  of  gun-boats. 

No.  1.  Lieut.  Com.  Somers,  of  the  Nautilus. 
"     2.  Lieut.  James  Decatur,  of  the  Nautilus. 
"     3.  Lieut.  Blake,  of  the  Argus. 


1804] 


NA  VAL     HISTOR  Y. 


191 


Second  division  of  gun-boata. 
No.  4.  Lieut.  Com.  Decatur,  of  the  Enterprise.  ;j 
"    5.  Lieut.  Bainbridge,  of  the  Enterprise. 
"     6.  Lieut.  Trippe,  of  the  Vixen. 

At  half'past  one,  the  Constitution  wore  again,  and  stood 
towards  the  town.  At  two,  the  gun-boats  were  cast  off,  and 
formed  in  advance,  covered  bv  the  brigs  and  schooners,  and 
half  an  hour  later,  the  signal  was  shown  to  engage.  The 
attack  was  commenced  by  the  twj  bombards,  which  began  to 
throw  shells  into  the  town.  It  was  followed  by  the  batteries, 
which  were  instantly  in  a  blaze,  and  then  the  shipping  on  both 
sides  opened  their  fire,  within  reach  of  grape. 

The  eastern,  or  most  weatherly  division  of  the  enemy's 
gun-boats,  nine  in  number,  as  being  least  si^.pported,  was  the 
aim  of  the  American  gun-boats.  But  the  bad  qualities  of  the 
latter  craft  were  quickly  apparent,  for,  as  soon  as  Mr.  Decatur 
steered  towards  the  enemy,  with  an  intention  to  come  to  close 
quarters,  the  division  of  Mr.  Somers,  which  was  a  little  to  lee- 
ward, found  it  difficult  to  sustain  him.  Every  effort  was  made 
by  the  latter  officer,  to  get  far  enough  to  windward  to  join  in 
the  attack ;  but  finding  it  impracticable,  he  bore  up,  and  ran 
down  alone  on  five  of  the  enemy  to  leeward,  and  engaged  them 
all  within  pistol-shot,  throwing  showers  of  grape,  canister, 
and  musket-balls,  among  them.  In  order  to  do  this,  as  soon 
as  near  enough,  the  sweeps  were  got  out,  and  the  boat  was 
backed  astern  to  prevent  her  from  drifting  in  among  the  enemy. 
No.  3  was  closing  fast,  but  a  signal  of  recall*  being  shown 
from  the  Constitution,  she  hauled  out  of  the  line  to  obey,  and 
losing  ground,  she  kept  more  aloof,  firing  at  the  boats  and 
shipping  in  the  harbour ;  while  No.  2,  Mr.  James  Decatur,  was 
enabled  to  join  the  division  to  windward.  No.  5,  Mr.  ^ain- 
bridge,  lost  her  latine-yard,  while  still  in  tow  of  the  Siren,  but, 
though  unable  to  close,  she  continued  advancing,  keeping  up  a 
heavy  fire,  and  finally  touched  on  the  rocks. 

By  these  changes.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decaturf  had 
three  boats  that  dashed  forward  with  him,  though  one  belonged 
to  the  division  of  Mr.  Somers,  viz.  No.  4,  No.  6,  and  No.  2. 


*  The  signal  was  bent  on  by  mistake,  and  was  abroad  a  moment  only, 
but  the  &ct  that  it  was  shown,  was  established  before  a  Court  of  Inquiry, 
which  exonerated  Mr.  Blake  from  censure. 

t  He  was  Captain  Decatur  at  the  time,  but  the  fact  was  not  yet  known 
in  the  squadron. 


192 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1804. 


The  ofHccrs  in  command  of  these  three  boats,  went  steadily  on 
until  within  the  smoke  of  the  enemy.  Here  thoy  delivered 
tlioir  fire,  throwing  in  a  terrible  discharge  of  grape  and  musket- 
balls,  and  the  order  was  given  to  board.  Up  to  this  moment, 
the  odds  had  been  as  three  to  one  against  the  assailants ;  and  it 
was  now,  if  possible,  increased.  The  brigs  and  schooners 
could  no  longer  assist.  The  Turkish  boats  were  not  only  the 
heaviest  and  the  best  in  every  sense,  but  they  were  much  the 
strongest  manned.  The  combat  now  assumed  a  character  of 
chivalrous  prowess  and  of  desperate  personal  efforts,  that  be- 
longs to  the  middle  ages,  rather  than  to  struggles  of  our  own 
times.  Its  details,  indeed,  savour  more  of  the  glow  of  romance, 
than  of  the  sober  severity  that  we  are  accustomed  to  associate 
with  reality. 

Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  took  the  lead.  He  had  no 
sooner  discharged  his  shower  of  musket-balls,  than  No.  4  was 
laid  alongside  the  opposing  bo<it  of  the  enemy,  and  he  went 
into  her,  followed  by  Lieutenant  Thorn,  Mr.  M'Donough,  and 
all  the  Americans  of  his  crew.  The  Tripolitan  boat  was 
divided  nearly  in  two  parts,  by  a  long  open  hatchway,  and  as  the 
people  of  No.  4  came  in  on  one  side,  the  Turks  retreated  to  the 
other,  making  a  sort  of  ditch  of  the  open  space.  This  caused 
an  instant  of  delay,  and,  perhaps,  fortunately,  for  it  permitted 
the  assailants  to  act  together.  As  soon  as  ready,  Mr.  Decatur 
charged  round  each  end  of  the  hatchway,  and  afler  a  short 
struggle,  a  portion  of  the  Turks  were  piked  and  bayoneted, 
while  the  rest  submitted,  or  leaped  into  the  water.* 

No  sooner  had  Mr.  Decatur  got  possession  of  the  boat  first 
assailed,  than  he  took  her  in  tow,  and  bore  down  on  the  one 
next  to  leeward.  Running  the  enemy  aboard,  as  before,  he 
went  into  him,  with  most  of  his  officers  and  men.  The  cap- 
tain of  the  Tripolitan  vessel  was  a  large  powerful  man,  and 
Mr.  Decatur  personally  charged  him  with  a  pike.  The  weapon, 
however,  was  seized  by  the  Turk,  wrested  from  the  hands  of 
the  assailant,  and  turned  against  its  owner.  The  latter  parried 
a  thrust,  and  made  a  blow  with  his  sword  at  the  pike,  with  a 
view  to  cut  off  its  head.  The  sword  hit  the  iron,  and  broke 
at  the  hilt,  and  the  next  instant  the  Turk  made  another  thrust. 


*  It  is  probable  that  the  crew  of  this  boat  was  in  a  measure  staggered 
by  the  close  fire  of  the  gun,  as  No.  4  approached,  her  captain  having  re- 
ceived no  fewer  than  fourteen  musket-balls  in  hiJs  body,  by  that  one  dis- 
charge. , 


1804.] 


NAVAL    HISTORr. 


193 


first 

one 

5,  he 

cap- 

and 


Noth'Dg  was  left  to  the  gallant  Decatur,  but  his  arm,  with 
which  he  so  far  averted  the  blow,  as  to  receive  the  pike  throuffh 
the  flesh  of  one  breast.  Pushing  the  iron  from  the  wound,  by 
tearing  the  flesh,  he  sprang  within  the  weapon,  and  grappled 
his  antagonist.  The  pike  fell  between  the  two,  and  a  short 
trial  of  strength  succeeded,  in  which  the  Turk  prevailed.  As 
the  combatants  fell,  however,  Mr.  Decatur  so  far  released  him- 
self as  to  lie  side  by  side  with  his  foe  on  the  deck.  The  Tri- 
politan  now  endeavoured  to  reach  his  poniard,  while  his  hand 
was  firmly  held  by  that  of  his  enemy.  At  this  critical  instant, 
when  life  or  death  depended  on  a  moment  well  employed,  or  a 
moment  lost,  Mr.  Decatur  drew  a  small  pistol  from  the  (Ktckct 
of  his  vest,  passed  the  arm  that  was  free  round  the  body  of  the 
Turk,  pointed  the  muzzle  in,  and  fired.  The  ball  passed 
entirely  through  the  body  of  the  Mussulman,  and  lodged  in  the 
clothes  of  his  foe.  At  the  same  instant,  Mr.  Decatur  felt  the 
grasp  that  had  almost  smothered  him  relax,  and  ho  was  liber- 
ated.    He  sprang  up,  and  the  Tripolitan  Iny  dead  at  his  feet. 

In  such  a  milee  it  cannot  be  suproetcd  that  the  struggle  of 
the  two  leaders  would  go  unnoticed.  An  enemy  raised  his 
sabre  to  cleave  the  skull  of  Mr.  Decatur,  while  he  was  occupied 
by  his  enemy,  and  a  young  man  of  the  Enterprise's  crew  in- 
terposed an  arm  to  save  him.  The  blow  was  intercepted,  but 
the  limb  was  severed  to  a  bit  of  skin.  A  fresh  rush  was  now 
made  upon  the  enemy,  who  was  overcome  without  much  further 
resistance. 

An  idea  of  the  desperate  nature  of  the  fighting  that  disHn- 
guished  this  remarkable  assault,  may  be  gained  from  be 
amount  of  the  loss.  The  two  boats  captured  by  Lieuteua;v> 
Commandant  Decatur,  had  about  eighty  men  in  them,  of  whom 
fifly-two  are  known  to  have  been  killed  and  wounded ;  most 
of  the  latter  very  badly.  As  only  eight  prisoners  were  made 
who  were  not  wounded,  and  many  jumped  overboard  and 
swam  to  the  rocks,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  Turks  suffered 
still  more  severely.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  himself 
being  wounded,  he  secured  his  second  prize,  and  hauled  off  to 
rejoin  the  squadron ;  all  the  rest  of  the  enemy's  division  that 
were  not  taken,  having  by  this  time,  run  into  the  harbour,  by 
passing  through  the  openings  between  the  rocks. 

While  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  was  thus  employed 
to  windward,  his  brother,  Mr.  James  Decatur,  the  first  lieu- 
tenant of  the  Nautilus,  was  nobly  emulating  his  example  in 
No.  2.  Reserving  his  fire,  like  No.  4,  this  young  officer 
17 


194 


NAV A  L     HISTORY 


[1804. 


dashed  into  the  smoke,  and  was  on  the  point  of  boarding,  when 
ho  received  a  musket^ball  in  his  forehead.  The  boats  met  and 
rebounded  ;  and  in  the  confusion  of  the  death  of  the  command- 
ing officer  of  No.  2,  the  Turk  was  enabled  to  escape,  under  a 
heavy  fire  from  the  Americans.  It  was  said,  at  the  time,  that 
the  enemy  had  struck  before  Mr.  Decatur  fell,  though  the  fact 
must  remain  in  doubt.  It  is,  however,  believed  that  ho  sus- 
tained a  very  severe  loss. 

In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Trippe,  in  No.  6,  the  last  of  the  three 
boats  that  was  able  to  reach  the  weather  division,  was  not  idle. 
Reserving  his  fire,  like  the  others,  he  delivered  it  with  deadly 
effect,  when  closing,  and  went  aboard  of  his  enemy  in  tho 
smoke.  In  this  instance,  the  boats  also  separated  by  tho  shock 
of  the  collision,  leaving  Mr.  Trippe,  with  Mr.  J.  D.  Henley, 
and  nine  men  only,  on  board  the  Tripolitan.  Here,  too,  the 
commanders  singled  each  other  out,  and  a  severe  personal 
combat  occurred,  while  the  work  of  death  was  going  on  around 
them.  The  Turk  was  young,  and  of  a  large  athletic  form, 
and  he  soon  compelled  his  slighter  but  more  active  foe  to  fight 
with  caution.  Advancing  on  Mr.  Trippe,  he  would  strike  a 
blow  and  receive  a  thrust  in  return.  In  this  manner,  he  gave 
the  American  commander  no  less  than  eight  sabre  wounds  in 
the  head,  and  two  in  the  breast ;  when,  making  a  sudden  rush, 
he  struck  a  ninth  blow  on  the  head,  which  brought  Mr.  Trippe 
upon  a  knee.  Rallying  all  his  force  in  a  desperate  effort,  the 
latter,  who  still  retained  the  short  pike  with  which  he  fought, 
made  a  thrust  that  passed  the  weapon  through  his  gigantic 
adversary,  and  tumbled  him  on  his  back.  As  soon  as  the 
Tripolitan  officer  fell,  the  remainder  of  his  people  submitted. 

The  boat  taken  by  Mr.  Trippe,  was  one  of  the  largest  be- 
longing to  the  bashaw.  The  number  of  her  men  is  not  posi- 
tively known,  but,  living  and  dead,  thirty-six  were  found  in 
her,  of  whom  twenty-one  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 
When  it  is  remembered  that  but  eleven  Americans  boarded 
her,  the  achievement  must  pass  for  one  of  the  most  gallant  on 
record.* 

*  While  Mr.  Trippe  was  bo  hard  pressed  by  his  antagonist,  a  Turk 
aimed  a  blow  at  him,  from  behind ;  but  just  berore  the  lattei-  struck,  Ser- 
geant Meredith,  of  the  marines,  passed  a  bayonet  through  his  body. 
While  the  prizes  were  hauling  off,  no  one  had  thought,  in  the  confusion 
of  such  a  scene,  of  lowering  the  flag  of  the  Tripolitan  boat,  and  she  was 
seen  advancing  with  the  enemy's  ensign  set  The  Vixen  gave  her  a 
broadside,  which  brought  down  colours,  most,  latine-yord,  and  all.  For- 
tunately, no  one  was  hurt. 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTOIIY. 


195 


All  this  time  tho  cannonade  and  bombardment  continued 
>vithout  ceasing.  Lieutenant  Commandant  Somcrs,  in  No.  1, 
sustained  by  the  brigs  and  schooners,  had  forced  the  remain- 
ing  boats  to  retreat,  and  this  resolute  officer  pressed  them  so 
hard  as  to  bo  compelled  to  ware  within  a  short  distance  of  a 
battery  of  twelve  guns,  quito  near  tho  mole.  Her  destruction 
seemed  inevitable,  as  the  boat  came  slowly  round,  when  a  shell 
fell  into  the  battery,  most  opportunely  blew  up  the  platform, 
and  drove  the  enemy  out,  to  a  man.  Before  the  guns  could 
bo  again  used,  the  boat  had  got  in  tow  of  one  of  the  small  ves- 
sels. 

There  was  a  division  of  five  boats  and  two  galleys  of  the 
enemy,  that  had  been  held  in  reserve  within  the  rocks,  and 
these  rallied  their  retreating  countrymen,  and  made  two  efforts 
to  come  out  and  intercept  the  Americans  and  their  prizes,  but 
they  were  kept  in  check  by  the  fire  of  the  frigate  and  small 
vessels.  The  Constitution  maintained  a  very  heavy  fire,  and 
silenced  several  of  the  batteries,  though  they  re-opened  as  soon 
as  she  had  passed.  The  bombards  were  covered  with  the 
spray  of  shot,  but  continued  to  throw  shells  to  the  last. 

At  half-past  four,  tho  wind  coming  round  to  the  northward, 
a  signal  was  made  for  the  gun-boats  and  bomb-ketches  to  re- 
join the  small  vessels,  and  another  to  take  them  and  the  prizes 
in  tow.  The  last  order  was  handsomely  executed  by  the  brigs 
and  schooners,  under  cover  of  a  blaze  of  fire  from  the  frigate. 
A  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  the  Constitution  herself  hauled  off, 
and  ran  out  of  gun-shot. 

Thus  terminated  the  first  serious  attack  that  was  made  on 
the  town  and  batteries  of  Tripoli.  Its  effect  on  the  enemy, 
was  of  the  most  salutary  kind ;  the  manner  in  which  their 
gun-boats  had  been  taken.  f>y  boarding,  having  made  a  lasting 
and  deep  impression.  The  superiority  of  the  Christians  in 
gunnery,  was  generally  admitted  before ;  but  here  was  an  in- 
stance in  which  the  Turks  had  been  overcome  by  inferior  num- 
bers, hand  to  hand,  a  species  of  conflict  in  which  they  had 
been  thought  particularly  to  excel.  Perhaps  no  instance  of 
more  desperate  fighting  of  the  sort,  without  defensive  armour, 
is  to  be  found  in  the  pages  of  history.  Three  gun-boats  were 
sunk  in  the  harbour,  in  addition  to  the  three  that  were  taken ; 
and  the  loss  of  the  Tripolitans  by  shot,  must  have  been  very 
heavy.  About  fifly  shells  were  thrown  into  the  town,  but  lit- 
tie  damage  appears  to  have  been  done  in  this  way,  very  few 
of  the  bombs,  on  account  of  the  imperfect  materials  that  had 


196 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1804. 


been  furnished,  exploding.  The  baticrios  were  a  good  deal 
damaged,  but  the  town  sullcred  no  essential  injury. 

On  the  part  of  the  Americans,  only  14  were  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  allhir  ;  and  all  of  these,  with  the  exception  of 
one  man,  belonged  to  the  gun-boats.  The  Constitution,  though 
under  fire  two  hours,  escaped  much  bettor  than  could  have 
been  ex|X5ctcd.  She  received  one  heavy  shot  through  her 
main-mast,  had  a  quarter-deck  gun  injured,'"'  and  was  a  good 
deal  cut  up  aloft.  The  enemy  had  calculated  his  range  for  a 
more  distant  cannonade,  and  generally  overshot  the  ships. 
By  this  mistake  the  Constitution  had  her  main-royal-yard  shot 
away. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  battle  of  the  3d  of  August,  the  ofH- 
cera  who  had  op|)ortunitics  of  particularly  distinguishing  them- 
selves, were  Lieutenants  Commandant  Decatur  and  Somcrs ; 
Lieutenants  Trippe,  Decatur,  Bainbridge,  and  Thorn,  and 
Messrs.  M'Donough,  Henley,  Ridgely,  and  Miller.  But  the 
whole  squadron  behaved  well ;  and  the  Constitution  was  han- 
dled, under  the  fire  of  the  batteries,  with  the  steadiness  of  a 
ship  working  into  a  roadstead. 


CHAPTER  XXL 


The  vessels  hauled  off  and  anchored  about  two  leagues 
from  Tripoli,  to  repair  their  damages.  On  the  morning  of 
the  5th,  the  Argus  brought-to  a  small  French  privateer  that 
had  just  got  out  of  the  harbour,  and  Commodore  Preble  in- 
duced her  commander  to  return  and  carry  in  all  the  badly 
wounded  among  his  prisoners.f  From  the  captain  of  this  ves- 
sel, he  learned  that  the  enemy  had  suffered  even  more  than 

*  A  shot  came  in  aft,  hit  the  gfun,  and  broke  in  several  pieces.  Commo- 
dore Preble  was  directly  in  its  range,  but  he  escaped  hy  the  shot's  break- 
ing. One  of  the  fragments  took  off  the  tip  of  a  marine's  elbow,  quite 
near  him. 

t  Mr.  Morris  of  the  Argus  was  rowing  guard,  close  in,  when  he  found 
himself  unexpectedly  alongside  of  a  strange  sail.  Without  hesitating, 
he  boarded  and  carried  her  by  surprise,  when  she  proved  to  be  the  priva- 
teer in  question. 


1604.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


197 


had  been  supposed  in  the  attack  of  tho  3d,  particularly  in  and 
about  the  port.  On  tho  7tb,  tho  privateer  coino  out,  bringing 
a  letter  from  tho  French  consul,  stating  that  tho  BuNhaw  was 
much  more  disposed  to  treat  than  previously  to  tho  late  affair, 
and  advising  tho  commodore  to  send  in  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a 
view  to  netfotiutc.  As  tho  castle  mado  no  signal  to  support 
this  pro[)08ition,  it  was  not  regarded. 

Between  tho  3d  and  the  7th,  the  squadron  was  occupied  in 
altering  the  rig  of  the  three  captured  gun-boats,  and  in  putting 
them  in  a  condition  for  service.  As  soon  as  the  latter  were 
equipped,  they  were  numbered  7,  8,  and  9,  and  the  command 
of  them  was  given  to  Lieutenants  Crane,  Caldwell,  and  Thorn. 
At  9  A.  M.,  on  tho  7th,  the  light  vessels  weighed,  and  tho  bom- 
bards proceeded  to  take  a  position  in  a  small  bay  to  the  west- 
ward of  tho  town,  where  they  were  not  much  exposed  to  shot. 
At  half-past  2,  the  bombards,  having  gained  their  anchorage, 
commenced  throwing  shells.  And  the  gun-boats  opened  a  heavy 
fire  on  tho  batteries.  The  effect  on  the  latter  was  soon  appa- 
rent, and  many  of  their  guns  were  rendered  useless.  In  tho 
height  of  the  cannonade,  a  strange  vessel  appeared  in  the  off- 
ing, and  tho  Argus  was  sent  in  chase.  The  enemy  now  h^.- 
gan  to  get  his  galleys  and  ggn-boats  in  motion,  and  once  or 
twice  they  advanced  towards  the  opening  between  the  rocks, 
and  commenced  a  fire ;  but  the  Constitution,  Nautilus,  and 
Enterprise,  being  stationed  to  windward  to  cut  them  off,  and 
the  Siren  and  Vixen  lying  near  the  American  gun-vessels  to 
cover  the  latter,  the  enemy,  after  the  lesson  received  on  the  3d, 
were  afraid  to  venture. 

At  half-past  3,  or  after  the  action  had  lasted  about  an  hour, 
a  hot  shot  passed  through  the  magazine  of  No.  8,  Lieutenant 
Caldwell,  the  boat  taken  by  Mr.  Trippe  in  the  affair  of  the  3d, 
and  she  immediately  blew  up.  When  the  smoke  cleared  away, 
all  the  after  part  of  the  boat  was  under  water,  while  Mr.  Rob- 
ert T.  Spence,  of  the  Siren,  and  11  men  were  forward,  load- 
ing the  long  twenty-six-pounder  that  formed  her  armament. 
This  gun  was  loaded  and  fired,  and  its  gallant  crew  gave  three 
cheers  as  their  vessel  sunk  beneath  them.  Mr.  Spence,  who 
could  not  swim,  saved  himself  on  an  oar,  while  the  rest  of  the 
people  got  on  board  the  different  boats,  where  they  continued 
to  fight  during  the  remainder  of  the  action. 

No.  8,  when  she  blew  up,  had  a  crew  of  28  persons  in  all, 
of  whom  10  were  killed  and  6  wounded.  Among  the  former 
was  Mr.  Caldwell,  her  commander,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the 
17* 


198 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1804. 


Siren,  and  Mr.  Dorsey,  a  midshipman  of  the  same  vessel. 
These  two  officers  were  greatly  regretted,  as  both  bade  fair  to 
be  ornaments  to  their  profession.* 

At  half-past  5,  or  afler  the  cannonade  had  lasted  nearly 
three  hours,  the  Constitution  made  a  signal  for  the  brigs  and 
schooners  to  take  the  bombards  and  gun-boats  in  tow,  and  the 
squadron  hauled  off  for  its  anchorage  again.  Just  at  this  time, 
the  Argus  made  a  signal  that  the  sail  in  sight  was  a  friend. 

The  gun-boats,  in  this  attack,  suffered  considerably.  In 
consequence  of  the  wind's  being  on-shore,  Commodore  Preble 
had  kept  the  frigate  out  of  the  action,  and  the  enemy's  batteries 
had  no  interruption  from  the  heavy  fire  of  that  ship.  Several 
of  the  American  boats  had  been  hulled,  and  all  suffered  ma- 
terially in  their  sails  and  rigging.  No.  6,  Lieutenant  Wads- 
worth,  had  her  latine-yard  shot  away.  The  killed  and  wounded 
amounted  to  18  men. 

At  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  John  Adams  28,  Captain 
Chauncey,  from  America,  came  within  hail  of  the  Constit^ition, 
and  reported  herself.  By  this  ship,  Commodore  Preble  re- 
ceived despatches'  informing  him  of  the  equipment  of  the  vessels 
that  were  to  come  out  under  Commodore  Barron,  and  of  the 
necessity,  which  was  thought  to  exist,  of  superseding  him  in 
the  command.  Captain  Chauncey  also  stated  the  probability 
of  the  speedy  arrival  of  the  expected  ships,  which  were  to  sail 
shortly  after  his  own  departure.  As  the  John  Adams  had 
brought  stores  for  the  squadron,  and  had  put  most  of  her  gun- 
carriages  in  the  other  frigates  to  enable  her  to  do  so,  she  could 
be  of  no  immediate  use ;  and  the  rest  of  the  vessels  being  sft 
soon  expected,  Commodore  Preble  was  induced  to  delay  the 
other  attacks  he  had  meditated,  on  the  ground  of  prudence. 

By  the  John  Adams,  intelligence  reached  the  squadron  of 
the  re-establishment  of  the  rank  of  masters  and  commanders, 


*  Mr.  Edmund  P.  Kennedy,  one  of  the  gunner's  crew  belonging  to  the 
Siren,  was  the  captain  of  the  gun,  on  board  No.  8,  when  she  blew  up. 
Mr.  Kennedy  was  a  young  gentleman  of  Maryland,  who  had  quitted 
school  in  quest  of  adventure,  and,  having  been  impressed  into  the  British 
navy,  on  obtaining  his  discharge  in  tho  Meuiterrancan,  he  entered  under 
the  flag  of  his  country.  In  consequence  of  his  good  conduct  on  this  oc- 
casion, and  from  a  desire  to  place  him  in  a  station  better  suited  to  his 
pretensions,  Commodore  Preble  made  Mr.  Kennedy  an  acting  midship- 
man. The  appointment  was  confirmed  at  home,  and  the  gentleman  in 
question  has  since  worn  a  broad  pennant.  It  is  believed  that  this  ofiicer 
and  one  other,  arc  the  only  two  in  the  navy  who  can  boast  of  having  gone 
through  all  the  gradations  of  the  service,  from  forward,  afl. 


1804.  J 


NAVAL    HI  STORY. 


199 


and  the  new  commissions  were  brought  out  to  the  officers  be- 
fore Tripoli,  who  had  been  promoted.  In  consequence  of  these 
chang  o,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Decatur  was  raised  to  the 
rank  of  captain,  and  became  the  second  in  command  then  pre- 
sent ;  while  Lieutenants  Commandant  Stewart,  Hull,  Chauncey, 
Smith,  and  Somers,  became  masters  commandant,  in  the  order 
in  which  they  are  named.  Several  of  the  young  gentlemen 
were  also  promoted,  including  most  of  those  who  had  a  share 
in  the  destruction  of  the  Philadelphia. 

The  bashaw  now  became  more  disposed  than  ever  to  treat, 
the  warfare  promising  much  annoyance,  with  no  corresponding 
benefits.  The  cannonading  did  his  batteries  and  vessels  great 
injuries,  though  the  town  probably  suffered  less  than  might 
have  been  expected,  being  in  a  measure  protected  by  its  walls. 
The  shells,  too,  that  had  been  procured  at  Messina,  turned  out 
to  be  very  bad,  few  exploding  when  they  fell.*  The  case  was 
different  with  the  shot,  which  did  their  work  effectually  on  the 
different  batteries.  Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  spirit  of 
the  last  attack,  from  the  report  of  Commodore  Preble,  who 
stated  that  nine  guns,  one  of  which  was  used  but  a  short  time, 
threw  500  heavy  shot,  in  the  course  of  little  more  than  two 
hours. 

Although  the  delay  caused  by  the  expected  arrival  of  the 
reinforcement,  was  improved  to  open  a  negotiation,  it  was 
without  effect.  The  bashaw  had  lowered  his  demands  quite 
half,  but  he  still  insisied  on  a  ransom  of  $500  a  man  for  his 
prisoners,  though  he  waived  the  usual  claim  for  tribute  in  fu- 
ture. These  propositions  were  not  received,  it  being  expected 
that,  after  the  arrival  of  the  reinforcement,  the  treaty  might  be 
made  on  the  usual  terms  of  civilised  nations. 

On  the  9th  of  August,  the  Argus,  Captain  Hull,  had  a  nar- 
row escape.  That  brig  having  stood  in  towards  the  town,  to 
reconnoitre,  with  Commodore  Preble  on  board,  one  of  the  hea- 
viest of  the  shot  from  the  batteries,  raked  her  bottom  for  some 
distance,  and  cut  the  planks  half  through.  An  inch  or  two  of 
variation  in  the  direction  of  this  shot,  would  infallibly  have 
sunk  the  brig,  and  that  probably  in  a  very  few  minutes. 


*  According  to  the  private  journal  of  Captain  Bainbridgc,  then  a  pri- 
soner in  the  town,  out  of  forty-eight  shells  thrown  by  the  two  bombards  in 
the  attack  of  the  7th,  but  one  exploded.  Agreeably  to  the  records  made 
by  this  officer  at  the  time,  the  bombs  on  no  occasion  did  much  injury,  and 
the  town  generally  suffered  less  by  shot  even  than  was  commonly  sup- 
posed. 


200 


NAVAL    HIST  OR  Y. 


[Ib04. 


No  intelligence  arriving  from  the  expected  vessels,  Com- 
modore Preble,  about  the  16th,  began  to  make  his  prepara- 
tions for  another  attack,  sending  the  Enterprise,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Robinson,  to  Malta,  with  orders  for  the  agent  to 
forward  transports  with  water,  the  vessels  being  on  a  short 
allowance  of  that  great  essential.  On  the  night  of  the  17th, 
Captains  Decatur  and  Chauncey  went  close  in,  in  boats,  and 
reconnoitred  the  situation  of  the  enemy.  These  officers,  on 
their  return,  reported  that  the  vessels  of  the  Tripolitan  flotilla 
were  moored  abreast  of  each  other,  in  a  line  extending  from 
the  mole  to  the  castle,  with  their  heads  to  the  eastward,  which 
was  making  a  defence  directly  across  the  inner  harbour  or 
galley-mole. 

A  gale,  however,  compelled  the  American  squadron  to  stand 
off  shore  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  which  caused  another 
delay  in  the  contemplated  movements.  While  lying-to,  in  the 
offing,  the  vessels  met  the  transports  from  Malta,  and  the  En- 
terprise returned,  bringing  no  intelligence  from  the  expected 
reinforcement. 

On  the  24th,  the  squadron  stood  in  towards  the  town  again, 
with  a  light  breeze  from  the  eastward.  At  8  P.  M.,  the  Con- 
stitution anchored  just  out  of  gun-shot  of  the  batteries,  but  it 
fell  calm,  and  the  boats  of  the  different  vessels  were  sent  to 
tow  the  bombards  to  a  position  favourable  for  throwing  shells. 
This  was  thought  to  have  been  effected  by  2  A.  M.,  when  the 
two  vessels  began  to  heave  their  bombs,  covered  by  the  gun- 
boats. At  daylight,  they  all  retired,  without  having  received 
a  shot  in  return.  Commodore  Preble  appears  to  have  dis- 
trusted the  result  of  this  bombardment,  the  first  attempted  at 
night,  and  there  is  reason  to  think  it  produced  but  little  effect.* 

The  weather  proving  very  fine  and  the  wind  favourable,  on 
the  28th,  Commodore  Preble  determined  to  make  a  more  vi- 
gorous assault  on  the  town  and  batteries,  than  any  which  had 
preceded  it,  and  his  dispositions  were  taken  accordingly.  The 
gun-boats  and  bombards  requiring  so  many  men  to  manage 
them,  the  Constitution  and  the  small  vessels  had  been  com- 
pelled to  go  into  action  short  of  hands,  in  the  previous  affairs. 
To  obviate  this  difficulty,  the  John  Adams  had  been  kept  be- 
fore the  town,  and  a  portion  of  her  officers  and  crew,  and 
nearly  all  her  boats,  were  put  in  requisition,  on  the  present 


*  Captain  Bainbridge,  in  his  private  journal,  says  that  all  the  sheila 
thrown  on  this  occasion  fell  short. 


1804.J 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


201 


occasion.  Captain  Chauncey,  himself,  with  about  seventy  of 
his  people,  went  on  board  the  flag-ship,  afid  all  the  boats  of  the 
squadron  were  hoisted  out  and  manned.  The  bomb  vessels  were 
crippled  and  could  not  be  brought  into  service,  a  Circumstance 
that  probably  was  of  no  great  consequence,  on  account  of  the 
badness  of  the  materials  they  were  compelled  to  use.*  These 
two  vessels,  with  the  Scourge,  transports,  and  John  Adams, 
were  anchored  well  off  at  sea,  not  being  available  in  the  con- 
templated cannonading. 

Every  thing  being  prepared,  a  little  after  midnight  the  fol- 
lowing gun-boats  proceeded  to  their  stations,  viz :  No.  1 ,  Cap- 
tain Somers ;  No.  2,  Lieutenant  Gordon ;  No.  3,  Mr.  Brooks, 
master  of  the  Argus ;  No.  4,  Captain  Decatur ;  No.  5,  Lieu- 
tenant Lawrence ;  No.  6,  Lieutenant  Wadsworth ;  No.  7,  Lieu- 
tenant Crane ;  and  No.  9,  Lieutenant  Thorn.  They  were  di- 
vided into  two  divisions,  as  before,  Captain  Decatur  having 
become  the  superior  officer,  however,  by  his  recent  promotion. 
About  3  A.  M.  the  gun-boats  advanced  close  to  the  rocks  at 
the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  covered  by  the  Siren,  Captain 
Stewart,  Argus,  Captain  Hull,  Vixen,  Captain  Smith,  Nautilus, 
Lieutenant  Reed,  and  Enterprise,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Ro- 
binson, and  accompanied  by  all  the  boats  of  the  squadron. 
Here  they  anchored,  with  springs  on  their  cables,  and  com- 
menced a  cannonade  on  the  enemy's  shipping,  castle,  and 
town.  As  soon  as  the  day  dawned,  the  Constitution  weighed 
and  stood  in  towards  the  rocks,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
batteries.  Fort  English,  and  the  castle.  At  this  time,  the  ene- 
my's gun-boats  and  galleys,  thirteen  in  number,  were  closely 
and  warmly  engaged  with  the  eight  American  boats ;  and  the 
Constitution,  ordering  the  latter  to  retire  by  signal,  as  their 
ammunition  was  mostly  consumed,  delivered  a  heavy  fire  of 
round  and  grape  on  the  former  as  she  came  up.  One  of  the 
enemy's  boats  was  soon  sunk,  two  were  run  ashore  to  prevent 
them  from  meeting  a  similar  fate,  and  the  rest  retreated. 

The  Constitution  now  continued  to  stand  on,  until  she  had 
run  in  within  muskot-shot  of  the  mole,  when  she  brought-to, 
and  opened  upon  the  town,  batteries,  and  castle.  Here  she 
lay  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  pouring  in  a  fierce  fire,  with 


*  It  is  stated  that  Commodore  Preble  subsequently  discovered  lead  in 
the  fuse-holes  of  many  of  the  bombs.  It  was  supposed  that  this  had  been 
done  by  treachery,  by  means  of  French  agents  in  Sicily,  the  shells  having 
been  charged  to  resist  the  French  invasion. 


202 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1804. 


great  effect,  until  finding  that  all  the  small  vessels  were  out 
of  gun-shot,  she  hauled  off.  About  700  heavy  shot  were  thrown 
at  the  enemy,  in  this  attack,  besides  a  good  many  from  the 
chase-guns  of  the  small  vessels.  The  enemy  sustained  much 
damage,  and  lost  many  men.  The  American  brigs  and  schoon- 
ers were  a  good  deal  injured  aloA,  as  was  the  Constitution. 
Although  the  latter  ship  was  so  long  within  reach  of  grape, 
many  of  which  shot  struck  her,  she  had  not  a  man  hurt  I 
Several  of  her  shrouds,  back-stays,  trusses,  spring-stays, 
chains,  lifls,  and  a  great  deal  of  running  rigging  were  shot 
away,  and  yet  her  hull  escaped  with  very  trifling  injuries.  A 
boat  belonging  to  the  John  Adams,  under  the  orders  of  Mr. 
John  Orde  Creighton,  one  of  that  ship's  master's  mates,  was 
sunk  by  a  double-headed  shot,  which  killed  three  men,  and 
badly  wounded  a  fourth,  but  the  officer  and  the  rest  of  the 
boat's  crew  were  saved. 

In  this  attack  a  heavy  shot  from  the  American  gun-boats 
struck  the  castle,  passed  through  a  wall,  and  rebounding  from 
the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  fell  within  six  inches  of  Captain 
Bainbridge,  who  was  in  bed  at  the  moment,  and  covered  him 
with  stones  and  mortar ;  from  under  which  he  was  taken,  con- 
siderably hurt,  by  his  own  officers.  More  injury  was  done  the 
town  in  this  attack,  than  in  either  of  the  others,  the  shot  op- 
pearing  to  have  told  on  many  of  the  houses. 

From  this  time  to  the  close  of  the  month,  preparations  were 
making  to  use  the  bombards  again,  and  for  renewing  the  can- 
nonading, another  transport  having  arrived  from  Malta,  with- 
out bringing  any  intelligence  of  the  vessels  under  the  orders 
of  Commodore  Barron.  On  the  3d  of  September,  every  thing 
being  I'eady,  at  half-past  two  the  signal  was  made  for  the  small 
vessels  to  advance.  The  enemy  had  improved  the  time  as 
well  as  the  Americans,  and  they  had  raised  three  of  their  own 
gun-boats  that  had  been  sunk  in  the  aflairs  of  the  3d  and  of 
the  28th  of  August.  These  craft  were  now  added  to  the  rest 
of  their  flotilla. 

The  Tripolitans  had  also  changed  their  mode  of  fighting. 
Hitherto,  with  the  exception  oftheafllaii' of  the  3d,  their  galleys 
and  gun-boats  had  lain  either  behind  the  rocks,  in  positions  to 
fire  over  them,  or  at  the  openings  between  them,  and  they  con- 
sequently found  themselves  to  leeward  of  the  frigate' and  small 
American  cruisers,  the  latter  invariably  choosing  easterly 
winds  to  advance  with,  as  they  would  permit  crippled  vessels 
to  retire.     On  the  3d  of  August,  the  case  excepted,  the  Turks 


1804.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


203 


had  been  so  roughly  treated  by  being  brought  hand  to  hand, 
when  they  evidently  expected  nothing  more  than  a  cannonade, 
that  they  were  not  disposed  to  venture  again  outside  of  the  har- 
bour. On  the  3d  of  September,  however,  the  day  at  which 
we  have  now  arrived,  their  plan  of  defence  was  judiciously 
altered.  No  sooner  was  it  perceived  that  the  American  squad- 
ron wos  in  motion,  with  a  fresh  design  to  annoy  them,  than 
their  gun-boats  and  galleys  got  under  way,  and  worked  up  to 
windward,  until  they  had  gained  a  station  on  the  weather  side 
of  the  harbour,  directly  under  the  fire  of  Fort  English,  as  well 
as  of  a  new  battery  that  had  been  erected  a  little  to  the  west- 
ward of  the  latter. 

This  disposition  of  the  enemy's  force,  required  a  correspond- 
ing change  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  The  bombards 
were  directed  to  take  stations  and  to  commence  throwing  their 
shells ;  while  the  gun-boats,  in  two  divisions,  commanded  as 
usual  by  Captains  Decatur  and  Somers,  and  covered  by  the 
brigs  and  schooners,  assailed  the  enemy's  flotilla.  This  ar- 
rangement separated  the  battle  into  two  distinct  parts,  leaving 
the  bomb  vessels  very  much  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  castle, 
the  mole,  crown,  and  other  batteries. 

The  Tripolitan  gun-boats  and  galleys  stood  the  fire  of  the 
American  flotilla  until  the  latter  had  got  within  reach  of  mus- 
ketry, when  they  retreated.  The  assailants  now  separated, 
some  of  the  gun-boats  •  following  the  enemy,  and  pouring  in 
their  fire,  while  the  others,  with  the  brigs  and  schooners,  can- 
nonaded Fort  English. 

In  the  mean  while,  perceiving  that  the  bombards  were  suf- 
fering severely  from  the  undisturbed  fire  of  the  guns  to  which 
they  were  exposed,  Commodore  Preble  ran  down  in  the  Con- 
stitution, quite  near  the  rocks,  and  within  the  bomb  vessels, 
and  brought  to.  Here  the  frigate  opened  as  wartii  a  fire  as 
probably  ever  came  out  of  the  broadside  of  a  single-decked 
ship,  and  in  a  position  where  seventy  heavy  guns  could  bear 
upon  her.  The  whole  harbour  in  the  vicinity  of  the  town,  was 
glittering  with  the  spray  of  her  shot,  and  each  battery,  as  usual, 
was  silenced  as  soon  as  it  drew  her  attention.  After  throwing 
more  than  three  hundred  round  shot,  besides  grape  and  can- 
ister, the  frigate  hauled  off",  having  previously  ordered  the 
other  vessels  to  retire  from  action,  by  signal. 

The  gun-boats,  in  this  affair,  were  an  hour  and  fifteen  min- 
utes engaged,  in  which  time  they  threw  four  hundred  round 
shot,  besides  grape  and  canister.     Lieutenant  Trippe,  who 


204 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1804. 


had  so  much  distinguished  himself,  and  who  had  received  so 
many  wounds  that  day  month,  resumed  the  command  of  No. 
6,  for  this  occasion.  Lieutenant  Morris,  of  the  Argus,  was  in 
charge  of  No.  3.  All  the  small  vessels  suffered,  as  usual, 
aloA,  and  the  Argus  sustained  some  damage  in  her  hull. 

The  Constitution  was  so  much  exposed  in  the  attack  just 
related,  that  her  escape  can  only  be  attributed  to  the  weight  of 
her  own  fire.  It  had  been  found,  in  the  previous  affairs,  that 
so  long  as  this  ship  could  play  upon  a  battery,  the  Turks  could 
not  be  kept  at  its  guns ;  and  it  was  chiefly  while  she  was  veer- 
ing, or  tacking,  that  she  suffered.  But,  afler  making  every 
allowance  for  the  eflfect  of  her  own  cannonade,  and  for  the  im- 
perfect gunnery  of  the  enemy,  it  creates  wonder  that  a  single 
frigate  could  lie  opposed  to  more  than  double  her  own  number 
of  available  guns,  and  these  too,  principally,  of  heavier  metal, 
while  they  were  protected  by  stone  walls.  On  this  occasion, 
the  frigate  was  not  supported  by  the  gun-boats  at  all,  and  she 
became  the  sole  object  of  the  enemy's  aim  af\er  the  bombards 
had  withdrawn. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  the  Constitution  suffered  more 
in  the  attack  just  recorded,  than  in  any  of  the  previous  affairs, 
though  she  received  nothing  larger  than  grape  in  her  hull. 
She  had  three  shells  through  her  canvass,  one  of  which  ren- 
dered the  main-top-sail  momentarily  useless.  Her  sails,  stand- 
ing and  running  rigging  were  also  much  cut  with  shot.  Cap- 
tain Chauncey,  of  the  John  Adams,  and  a  party  of  his  officers 
and  crew,  served  in  the  Constitution  again  on  this  day,  and 
were  of  essential  use.  Indeed,  in  all  the  service  which  suc- 
ceeded her  arrival,  the  commander,  officers,  and  crew  of  the 
John  Adams  were  actively  employed,  though  the  ship  herself 
could  not  be  brought  before  the  enemy,  for  the  want  of  gun- 
carriages. 

The  bombards,  having  been  much  exposed,  suffered  accord- 
ingly. No.  1,  was  so  much  crippled,  as  to  be  unable  to  move, 
without  being  towed,  and  was  near  sinking  when  she  was  got 
to  the  anchorage.  Every  shroud  she  had  was  shot  away. 
Commodore  Preble  expressed  himself  satisfied  with  the  good 
conduct  of  every  man  in  the  squadron.  All  the  vessels  appear 
to  have  been  well  conducted,  and  efficient  in  their  several  sta- 
^tions.  Of  the  effect  of  the  shells,  there  is  no  account  to  be  re- 
lied on,  though  it  is  probable  that,  as  usual,  many  did  not  ex- 
plode. There  is  no  doubt,  however,  that  the  bombs  were  well 
directed,  and  that  they  fell  into  the  town. 


1804.J 


NAVAL     11 1  B  T  O  K  Y  . 


205 


While  Commodore  Preble  was  thus  actively  employed  in 
carrying  on  the  war  against  the  enemy,  the  attack  just  re- 
lated having  been  the  fifth  made  on  the  town  within  a  month, 
he  was  meditating  another  species  of  annoyance,  that  was 
now  ready  to  be  put  in  execution. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


The  ketch  Intrepid,  which  had  been  employed  by  Mr.  Deca- 
tur in  burning  the  Philadelphia,  was  still  in  the  squadron,  hav- 
ing been  used  of  late  as  a  transport  between  Tripoli  and  Mal- 
ta. This  vessel  had  been  converted  into  an  "  infernal,"  or, 
to  use  more  intelligible  terms,  she  had  been  fitted  as  a  floating 
mine,  with  the  intention  of  sending  her  into  the  harbour  of  Tri- 
poli, to  explode  among  the  enemy's  cruisers.  As  every  thing 
connected  with  the  history  of  this  little  vessel,  as  well  as  with 
the  enterprise  in  which  she  was  about  to  be  employed,  will  have 
interest  with  the  public,  we  shall  be  more  particular  than  com- 
mon in  giving  the  details  of  this  affair,  as  they  have  reached 
us  through  public  documents,  and  oral  testimony  that  is  deem* 
ed  worthy  of  entire  credit. 

A  small  room  or  magazine  had  been  planked  up  in  the  hold 
of  the  ketch,  just  forward  of  her  principal  mast.  Communi- 
cating with  this  magazine  was  a  trunk  or  tube,  that  led  afl,  to 
another  room  filled  with  combustibles.  In  the  planked  room, 
or  magazine,  were  placed  one  hundred  barrels  of  gunpowder 
in  bulk,  and  on  the  deck  immediately  above  the  powder,  were 
laid  fifly  thirteen  and  a  half  inch  shells,  and  one  hundred  nine 
inch  shells,  with  a  large  quantity  of  shot,  pieces  of  kentledge, 
and  fragments  of  iron  of  different  sorts.  A  train  was  laid  in 
the  trunk,  or  tube,  and  fuses  were  attached  in  the  proper  man- 
ner. In  addition  to  this  arrangement,  the  other  small  room 
mentioned  was  filled  with  splinters  and  light  wood,  which,  be- 
sides firing  the  train,  were  to  keep  the  enemy  from  boarding, 
as  the  flames  would  be  apt  to  induce  them  to  apprehend  an  im- 
mediate explosion. 

The  plan  was  well  laid.  It  was  the  intention  to  profit  by 
the  first  dark  night  that  offered,  to  carry  the  ketch  as  far  as 
18 


206 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1804 


possible  into  the  galley-moIe,  to  light  the  fire  in  the  splinter< 
room,  and  for  the  men  employed,  to  make  their  retreat  in  boats. 

The  arrangements  for  carrying  this  project  into  effect  ap< 
pear  to  have  been  made  with  care  and  prudence.  Still  the 
duty,  on  every  account,  was  deemed  desperate.  It  was  beces< 
sary,  in  the  tirst  place,  to  stand  in  by  the  western  or  little 
passage,  in  a  dulKsailing  vessel,  and  with  a  light  wind,  directly 
m  the  iace  of  several  batteries,  the  fire  of  which  could  only  be 
escaped  by  the  enemy's  mistaking  the  ketch  for  a  vessel  en- 
deavouring to  force  the  blockade.  It  would  also  be  required  to 
pass  quite  near  these  batteries,  and,  as  the  ketch  advanced,  she 
would  be  running  in  among  the  gun-boats  and  galleys  of  the 
enemy.  It  is  not  necessary  to  point  out  the  hazards  of  such 
on  exploit,  as  a  simple  cannonade  directed  against  a  small 
vessel  filled  with  powder,  would  of  itself  be,  in  the  last  degree, 
dangerous.  Afler  every  thing  had  succeeded  to  the  perfect 
h<^pes  of  the  assailants,  there  existed  the  necessity  of  effecting 
a  retreat,  the  service  being  one  in  which  no  quarter  could  be 
expected. 

Such  a  duty  could  be  confided  to  none  but  officers  and  men 
of  known  coolness  and  courage,  of  perfect  self-possession,  and 
of  tried  spirit.  Captain  Somers,  who  had  commanded  one 
division  of  the  gun-boats  in  the  different  attacks  on  the  town 
that  have  been  related,  in  a  manner  to  excite  the  respect  of  all 
who  witnessegl  his  conduct,  volunteered  to  take  charge  of  this 
enterprise;  and  Lieutenant  Wads  worth,  of  the  Constitution,  an 
officer  of  great  merit,  offered  himself  as  the  second  in  com- 
mand. It  being  unnecessary  to  send  in  any  more  than  these 
two  gentlemen,  with  the  few  men  needed  to  manage  the  ketch 
and  row  the  boats,  no  other  officer  was  permitted  to  go,  though 
it  is  understood  that  several  volunteered. 

The  night  of  the  4th  of  September,  or  that  of  the  day  which 
succeeded  the  attack  last  related,  promising  to  be  obscure,  and 
there  being  a  good  leading  wind  from  the  eastward,  it  was 
selected  for  the  purpose.  Commodore  Preble  appears  to  have 
viewed  the  result  of  this  expedition  with  great  anxiety,  and  to 
have  ordered  all  its  preparations,  wiih  the  utmost  personal 
attention  to  the  details.  This  feeling  is  believed  to  have  been 
increased  by  his  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  officers 
who  were  to  go  in,  and  who,  it  was  understood,  had  expressed 
a  determination  neither  to  be  taken,  nor  to  permit  the  ammuni- 
tion in  the  ketch  to  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  latter 
point  was  one  of  great  importance,  it  being  understood  that  the 


1804.] 


N  AVA  L     HISTORY. 


207 


Tripolitans,  like  the  Americans,  were  getting  to  bo  in  want  of 
powder.*  In  short,  it  was  the  general  understanding  in  the 
squadron,  before  the  keten  proceeded,  that  her  officers  had  deter- 
mined not  to  be  taken.  Two  fast-rowing  boats,  one  belonging 
to  the  Constitution,  that  pulled  six  oars,  and  one  belonging  to 
the  Siren,  that  pulled  four  oars,  were  chosen  to  bring  the  party 
off,  and  their  crews  were  volunteers  from  the  Constitution  and 
Nautilus.  At  the  last  moment,  Mr.  Israel,  on  ardent  young 
officer,  whose  application  to  go  in  had  been  rejected,  found 
means  to  get  on  board  the  ketch,  and,  in  consideration  of  his 
gallantry,  he  was  permitted  to  join  ti»e  party. 

When  all  was  ready,  or  about  8  o'clock  in  the  evening  of 
the  day  just  mentioned,  the  Intrepid  was  under  way,  with  the 
Argus,  Vixen,  and  Nautilus  in  company.  Shortly  after,  the 
Siren  also  weighed,  by  a  special  order  from  the  commodore, 
and  stood  in  towards  the  western  passage,  or  that  by  which 
the  ketch  was  to  enter,  where  she  remained  to  look  out  for  the 
boats. 

The  Nautilus,  Captain  Somers'  own  vessel,  accompanied  the 
kotch  close  in,  but,  on  reaching  a  position  where  there  was 
danger  of  her  creating  suspicions  by  being  soen,  she  hauled 
off,  to  take  her  station,  like  the  other  small  vessels,  near  the 
rocks,  in  order  to  pick  up  the  retreating  boats.  The  last  per- 
son of  the  squadron  who  had  any  communication  with  Captain 
Somers,  was  Mr.  Washington  Reed,  the  first  lieutenant  of  his 
own  schooner,  the  Nautilus,  who  left  him  about  9  o'clock.  At 
that  time,  all  was  calm,  collected,  and  in  order,  on  board  the 
"  infernal."  The  general  uneasiness  was  increased  by  the  cir- 
cumstance that  three  gun-boats  lay  near  the  entrance ;  and 
some  of  the  last  words  of  the  experienced  Decatur,  before 
taking  leave  of  his  friend,  were  to  caution  him  against  these 
enemies. 

The  sea  was  covered  with  a  dense  haze,  though  the  stars 
were  visible,  and  the  last  that  may  be  said  to  have  been  seen 
of  the  Intrepid,  was  the  shadowy  forms  of  her  canvass,  as  she 
steered  slowly,  but  steadily,  into  the  obscurity,  where  the  eyes 

*  A  day  or  two  before  the  ketch  was  ready,  the  commodore  himself 
was  trying  a  port-fire  in  the  cabin  of  the  Constitution,  in  the  presence  of 
Captain  Somers,  and  of  one  or  two  other  officers,  and  finding  that  one 
burned  a  particular  time,  by  the  watch,  he  remarked  that  ho  thought  "  it 
burned  longer  than  was  necessary,  as  the  time  might  enable  the  enemy  to 
approach  and  extinguish  it  before  the  train  woi^d  be  fired."  "  I  ask  i^r 
no  port-fire  at  all,"  was  the  quiet  answer  of  Captain  Somers. 


208 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1804. 


of  the  many  anxious  spectators  fancied  they  could  still  trace 
her  dim  outline,  most  probably  after  it  had  totally  disappeared. 
This  sinking  into  the  gloom  of  night,  was  no  bad  image  of  the 
impenetrable  mystery  that  has  veiled  the  subsequent  proceed- 
ings of  the  gallant  party  on  board  her. 

When  the  Intrepid  was  last  seen  by  the  naked  eye,  she  was 
not  a  musket-shot  from  the  mole,  standing  directly  for  the  har- 
bour. One  officer  on  board  the  nearest  vessel,  the  Nautilus, 
is  said,  however,  to  have  never  lost  sight  of  her  with  a  night- 
glass,  but  even  he  could  distinguish  no  more  than  her  dim  pro- 
portions. There  is  a  vague  rumour  that  she  touched  on  the 
rocks,  though  it  does  not  appear  to  rest  on  sufficient  authority 
to  be  entitled  to  much  credit.  To  the  last  moment,  she  ap- 
pears to  have  been  advancing.  About  this  time  .the  batteries 
began  to  fire.  Their  shot  are  said  to  have  been  directed  to- 
wards every  point  where  an  enemy  might  be  expected,  and  it 
is  not  improbable  that  some  were  aimed  at  the  ketch. 

The  period  between  the  time  when  the  Intrepid  was  last 
seen,  and  that  when  most  of  those  who  watched  without  the 
rocks  learned  her  fate,  was  not  long.  This  was  an  interval 
of  intense,  almost  of  breathless  expectation ;  and  it  was  inter- 
rupted only  by  the  flashes  and  the  roar  of  the  enemy's  guns. 
Various  reports  exist  of  what  those  who  gazed  into  the  gloom 
beheld,  or  fancied  they  beheld ;  but  one  melancholy  fact  alone 
would  seem  to  be  beyond  contradiction.  A  fierce  and  sudden 
light  illuminated  the  panorama,  a  torrent  of  fire  streamed  up- 
ward, and  a  concussion  followed  that  made  the  cruisers  in  the 
offing  tremble  from  their  trucks  to  their  keels.  This  sudden 
blaze  of  light  was  followed  by  a  darkness  of  two-fold  intensity, 
and  the  guns  of  the  battery  became  mute,  as  if  annihilated. 
Numerous  shells  were  seen  in  the  air,  and  some  of  them  de- 
scended on  the  rocks,  where  they  were  heard  to  fall.  The 
fuses  were  burning,  and  a  few  exploded,  but  much  the  greater 
part  were  extinguished  in  the  water.  The  mast,  too,  had  risen 
perpendicularly,  with  its  rigging  and  canvass  blazing,  but  the 
descent  veiled  all  in  night. 

So  sudden  and  tremendous  was  the  eruption,  and  so  intense 
the  darkness  which  succeeded,  that  it  was  not  possible  to  ascer- 
tain the  precise  position  of  the  ketch  at  the  moment.  In  the 
glaring,  but  fleeting  light,  no  person  could  say  that  he  had 
noted  more  than  the  material  circumstance,  that  the  Intrepid 
had  not  reached  the  point  at  which  she  aimed.  The  shells  had 
not  spread  far,  and  those  which  fell  on  the  rocks  were  so  many 


1804.] 


NAV A  L    HISTORY 


209 


proofs  of  this  important  truth.  There  was  do  other  fact  to  in* 
dicato  the  preciso  spot  where  the  ketch  exploded.  A  few  cries 
arose  froir.  the  town,  but  the  subsequent  and  deep  silence  that 
followed  was  more  eloquent  than  any  clamour.  The  whole 
of  Tripoli  was  like  a  city  of  tombs. 

If  every  eye  had  been  watchful  previously  to  the  explosion, 
every  eye  now  became  doubly  vigilant  to  discover  the  retreat* 
ing  boats.  Men  got  over  the  sides  of  the  vessels,  holding 
lights,  and  placing  their  ears  near  the  water,  in  the  hope  of 
detecting  the  sounds  of  even  muffled  oars ;  and  often  was  it 
fancied  that  the  gallant  adventurers  were  near.  They  never 
re-uppeared.  Hour  after  hour  went  by,  until  hope  itself  be- 
came exhausted.  Occasionally,  a  rocket  gleamed  in  the  dark- 
ness, or  a  sullen  gun  was  heard  from  the  frigate,  as  signak  to 
the  boats ;  but  the  eyes  that  should  have  seen  fhe/irst,  were 
sightless,  and  the  last  tolled  on  the  ears  of  the  dead. 

Tho  three  vessels  assigned  to  that  service  hovered  around 
the  harbour  until  the  sua  rose  ;  but  few  traces  of  the  Intrepid, 
and  nothing  of  her  devoted  crew,  could  be  discovered.  The 
wreck  of  the  mast  lay  on  the  rocks  near  the  western  entrance, 
and  here  and  there  a  fragment  was  visible  nigh  it.  One  of  the 
largest  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  was  missing,  and  it  was  ob- 
served that  two  others,  which  appeared  to  be  shattered,  were 
being  hauled  upon  the  shore.  The  three  that  had  lain  across 
the  entrance  had  disappeared.  It  was  erroneously  thought 
that  the  castle  had  sustained  some  injury  from  the  concussion, 
though,  on  the  whole,  the  Americans  were  left  with  the  melan- 
choly certainty  of  having  met  with^  serious  loss,  without  ob- 
taining a  commensurate  advantage. 

It  is  now  known  that  tho  bottom  of  the  ketch  grounded  on 
the  north  side  of  the  rocks,  near  the  round  battery  at  the  end 
of  the  mole ;  and  as  the  wind  was  at  the  eastward,  this  renders 
it  certain  that  the  explosion  took  place  in  the  western  entrance 
to  the  harbour,  and  fully  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  spot  that 
it  was  intended  the  ketch  should  reach.  In  the  wreck  were 
found  two  mangled  bodies,  and  four  more  were  picked  up  on 
the  6th,  floating  in  the  harbour,  or  lodged  on  the  shore.  These 
bodies  were  in  the  most  shocking  state  of  mutilation,  and, 
though  Captain  Bainbridge  and  one  or  two  of  his  companions 
were  taken  to  see  them,  it  was  found  impossible  to  distinguish 
even  the  officers  from  the  men.  It  is  understood  that  six  more 
bodies  were  found,  the  day  after  the  explosion,  on  the  shore  to 
18* 


210 


NAVAL    IIIflTORY. 


[1804 


r 


tho  flouthwnnl  of  tho  town,  and  thnt  n  Hix-onrcd  boat,  with  ono 
body  in  it,  had  drilled  on  tho  l)cach  to  tho  westward.* 

'1  hesn  8tatonu>nt.s  account  for  all  those  who  went  in  tho 
ketrh,  and  iiirniNh  conjectural  clues  to  focts  that  would  othor- 
wise  Im!  veiled  in  innienetrablo  mystery.  The  spot  wh(<re  the 
iKMit  was  found,  was  a  proof  that  tho  ketch  had  not  got  very 
far  into  i\w  passage,  or  tho  cutter  could  not  have  drilled  clear 
of  the  luitural  mole  to  tho  westward.  The  reason  that  the  l)oat 
and  the  ketch's  lM)ttom  were  not  foimd  near  thesanw;  spot,  was 
|)rol)al)ly  Injoause  the  first  was  acted  on  more  by  the  wind,  and 
the  last  by  tlie  curretJt ;  and  tho  fact  that  a  boat  may  have 
drilled  through  rocks,  with  which  tho  shore  is  everyvvhero 
mom  or  less  lined,  that  would  have  brought  up  the  wreck. 

As  there  was  but  one  l)ody  found  in  tho  boat,  we  are  left  to 
suppose  it  was  that  of  the  keeper.  Of  the  four-oared  boat,  or 
that  which  belonged  to  tho  Siren,  there  d(x:H  not  appear  to  have 
be<>n  any  tidings,  and  it  was  either  destroyed  by  tho  explosion, 
Nunk  by  the  fall  of  fragments,  or  privately  appropriated  to 
himself  by  some  Tripolitan. 

From  the  fact  of  there  In'ing  but  a  single  man  in  the  Consti- 
tution's cutter,  there  is  reason  to  infer  that  most  of  tho  olficers 
and  men  were  on  l)oard  the  ketc!  ,  iiorself,  when  she  blow  up. 
No  person  is  understood  to  sny  tl'utany  of  the  enemy's  vessels 
were  seen  near  the  ketch,  wlieu  she  xploded,  and,  with  theso 
meagre  premises,  we  are  left  to  draw  our  inferences  as  to  tho 
causes  of  the  disaster. 

That  Captain  Somers  was  as  capable  of  sacrificing  himself, 
when  there  was  an  occasian  for  it,  as  any  man  who  ever  lived, 
is  probably  as  true  as  it  is  ccrtoin  that  ho  would  not  destroy 
himself,  and  much  less  others,  without  sutficient  reason.  It 
•j.  s  been  supposed  that  tho  ketch  was  boarded  by  the  enemy, 
and  that  her  resolute  commander  fired  the  train  in  preference 
to  Iwing  taken.  The  spirit  created  by  tho  chivalrous  .,  loit- 
of  Decatur,  and  the  high-toned  di;  ^'pline  and  daring  '^f  IV''- 
ble,  had  c>mmunicated  to  all  under  their  orders  as  Ic  •  •  ■ 
ments  of  duty  and  zeal  as  probably  were  ever  found  uniong 
an  e(]ual  body  of  generous  and  ardent  young  men ;  but  it  is 
not  eosy  to  discover  a  motive  why  the  explosion  should  havo 
beCw  an  'nt<^ntional  act  of  the  Americans,  and  it  is  easy  to  dis- 
cover muny  v/hy  it  should  not. 

Them  »v  "Id  be  but  one  sufficient  justification  for  an  oflS- 

-    'apiain  Ba  r'i)ridgo's  private  journal. 


■^  . 


1804] 


NAVAL     H»«TO»Y. 


211 


cer*8  sacrificing  himself  or  his  people  un<l>  '  such  circum- 
stanccH,  and  that  was  the  impossibility  of  nreveiitir>jr  the  ketch 
from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  by  any  oth  r  nM?anfi. 
Neither  the  evidence  of  eye-witnesses,  so  1;  as  it  is  ?'vailabIo, 
nor  the  accounts  of  the  Tripolitans  thomsel  s,  wouU  appear 
to  show,  that  when  the  Intrepid  exploded,  any  'lemy  w  is  near 
■nough  to  render  so  desperate  a  step  necessa  According 

to  the  private  journal  of  Captain  Bainhridge,  neither  the  town 
hor  the  Turks  suffered  materially,  and  ho  was  carried  to  ♦he 
beach  to  sec  the  dead  bodies,  on  the  8th,  or  two  da\  after  i  ho 
affair.  This  alono  would  prove  that  the  ketch  did  ot  r  ach 
the  mole.  If  the  object  were  merely  to  destroy  the  powder, 
the  men  would  have  been  previously  ordered  into  thn  tniats, 
and,  even  tnidcr  circumstances  that  rendered  a  resort  o  the 
fuse  inexpedient,  the  train  would  have  been  used.  Thai  only 
one  mnn  was  in  the  largest  boat,  is  known  from  the  coi:  iition 
in  which  she  was  found,  and  this  could  hardly  have  happi  '^e^, 
under  any  circumstances,  had  the  magazine  been  fir  'd  in  "n- 
tionally,  by  means  of  the  train.  Every  contingency  had  doi  irt- 
Icss  been  foreseen.  One  man  was  as  able  as  twenty  to  apj  'y 
the  match,  and  we  cui  seo  but  one  state  of  things,  besiu  *8 
being  boarded  by  surprise,  that  would  render  it  likely  that  tlis 
match  would  have  been  used  until  the  people  were  in  thci  - 
boJits,  or  that  it  would  have  been  applied  at  any  other  spot,  thai 
at  the  end  of  the  train,  or  aft.  A  surprise  of  the  nature  men 
tioned,  would  seem  to  have  been  impossible ;  for,  though  th( 
night  was  misty,  objects  might  still  be  seen  at  some  little  dis- 
tance, and  it  is  probable,  also,  that  the  party  had  glasses. 

From  weighing  these  circumstances,  it  is  the  most  rational 
opinion  that  the  Intrepid  was  not  intentionally  blown  up.  Sho 
was  under  fire  at  the  time,  and  though  it  is  improbable  that  the 
enemy  had  any  shot  heated  to  repel  an  attack  so  unexpected, 
a  cold  ^hot  might  easily  have  fired  a  magazine  in  the  situation 
of  that  of  the  Intrepid.  The  deck  of  the  ketch,  moreover, 
was  covered  with  loaded  shells,  and  one  of  these  might  have 
been  struck  and  broken.  Some  other  unforeseen  accident  may 
have  occurred.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  necessary  to  state, 
that  Commodore  Preble  firmly  believed  that  his  officers  blew 
tlu  w4it>lve^  up,  in  preference  to  being  made  prisoners ;  an  opin- 
ion m  wYiioh  it  would  not  be  difficult  to  coincide,  were  there 
proof  that  they  were  in  any  immediate  danger  of  such  a  ca- 
lamiity.  It  was  also  the  general  conjecture  in  the  squadron 
ihcsi  befjre  Tripoli,  that  such  had  been  the  fate  of  these  bold 


\ 


I 


312 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1801 


adventurers ;  but  it  would  seem  to  have  been  formed  at  the 
time,  rather  on  an  opinion  of  what  the  party  that  went  in  was 
capable  of  doing,  than  on  any  evidence  of  what  it  had  actu- 
ally done. 

As  it  is  the  province  of  the  historian  to  present  all  the  load- 
ing facts  of  his  subject,  we  shall  add,  on  the  other  hnnd,  that 
many  little  collateral  circumstances  appear  to  have  occurred, 
which  may  bo  thought  to  give  force  to  the  truth  of  the  com- 
mon impression.  One  of  the  best  authenticated  of  these,  is 
connected  with  what  was  seen  from  a  vessel  that  was  watch- 
ing the  ketch,  though  it  was  not  the  schooner  nearest  in.  On 
board  this  vessel  a  light  was  observed  moving  on  a  horizontol 
line,  as  if  carried  swillly  along  a  vessel's  dock  by  some  one 
in  hurried  motion,  and  then  to  drop  suddenly,  liko  a  lantern 
sinking  beneath  a  hatchway,  liiunodiafely  afterwards  the 
ketch  exploded,  and  at  that  precise  spot,  which  would  seem  to 
leave  no  doubt  that  this  light  was  on  board  tho  Intrepid.  Hut 
even  this  by  no  means  establishes  the  fact  that  the  explosion 
was  intentional.  The  splinters,  that  were  to  keep  the  onomy 
aloof,  had  not  been  lighted,  and  this  movement  with  tho  lan- 
tern may  have  been  intended  to  fire  them,  and  may  hove  Imd 
some  accidental  connexion  with  the  explosion. 

In  addition  to  this  appearance  of  the  light,  which  rests  on 
jtestimoay  every  way  entitled  to  respect,  there  was  a  report 
brought  off  by  the  prisoners,  then  in  Tripoli,  when  lilxirated, 
from  which  another  supposition  has  been  formed  as  to  tho  lUtc 
(Of  this  devoted  vessel,  that  is  not  without  plausibility.  It  was 
«aid  that  most  of  the  bodies  found  had  received  gun-shot 
wounds,  especially  from  grape.  One  body,  in  particular,  was 
described  as  having  had  the  small  remains  of  nankeen  panta- 
loons on  it,  and  it  was  also  reported  that  the  hair*  was  of  a 
deep  black.  Through  this  person,  according  to  the  report,  no 
less  than  three  grape-shot  had  passed.  This- has  been  sup- 
posed to  have  been  the  body  of  Captain  Somers  himself,  who 
was  the  only  one  of  the  party  that  wore  nankeens,  and  whose 
hair  was  of  a  deep  black.  On  the  supposition  that  the  pr(M)fs 
of  the  grape-shot  wounds  actually  existed,  it  has  been  conjee- 
tured  that,  as  the  ketch  advanced,  she  was  fired  into  with 
grape,  most  of  her  people  shot  down,  and  that  the  maga/iue 
was  touched  off  by  the  two  whose  bod»'>s  were  found  in  the 

*  It  is  possible  certainly  that  this  mark  may  have  been  observed,  but 
it  is  more  probable  that  the  hair  urould  have  been  consumed.  Still  a  hat 
may  have  saved  it. 


1P04.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


213 


wronk,  and  who  woro  probably  bolow  when  the  Intrepid  ox- 
plodfd. 

That  a  cIuho  iiro  was  uponod  whon  tlm  kot<;h  n[)p(vir('d,  is 
lioyond  doubt,  and  tliat  h\w  wum  ([iiitd  nmr  thu  utolo  and  (M'own 
battnrioH  when  Iho  oxploHion  occurrinl,  is  known,  not  only  by 
rncana  of  tho  glaus,  bul  l)y  tho  partH  of  tho  wruck  tliat  (iul  on 
tho  rock.s.  ind(H)d,  tho  Nituation  of  tho  bittnr  would  j^ivo  roa- 
son  to  Hupposo  thcro  might  bo  Honio  truth  in  tho  rinnour  that 
h\w  htui  groundod,  in  which  caNo  hor  doolruction  by  moauH  of 
whot  would  havo  k'scn  rondorod  cortuin. 

'I'ho  provalojit  opinion  that  tho  lntro{>id  was  boardod  by  ono 
or  moro  of  tho  gun-boalH  that  lay  uv.iw  tho  ontratu'o,  would 
«o(;m  to  havo  bcon  cntortuinod  without  sidliriont  proof.  Th((no 
vcHsols  lay  sonio  distanro  within  tho  spot  whoro  tho  kotoh  bUsw 
up,  and  it  was  not  probablo  that  thoy  would  havo  advancod  to 
moot  a  vessel  entering  the  harbour ;  for  did  thoy  supposo  hor 
u  friend,  thoro  would  have  l)een  no  motive ;  and  did  thoy  8un« 
pose  her  an  enemy,  they  would  havo  Ixion  much  moro  likely 
to  avoid  hor.  So  siiy,  indee<l,  had  tho  Tri|)f)litanH  Ixjcorne, 
nOer  the  burning  of  thu  1  Philadelphia,  and  tho  boarding  of  their 
bouts,  thaf  it  was  (bund  (txtrcmoly  ilillieult  to  g(!t  their  smalj 
veNsels  within  tho  rungo  of  miiHkot-bulls.  CJaptain  Homern 
wus  known  to  havo  felt  no  appre'liensions  of  lM)ing  lK)arded  by 
these  threo  boats ;  for,  when  cautioned  by  his  friend  Decatur 
on  that  head,  his  answer  was,  "  thoy  will  1x3  more  likely  to 
cut  and  run."  In  this  opinion  that  cool  and  obs«jrvant  oflicer 
was  probably  right.  Had  thoro  Iwen  any  vessel  near  tho  In- 
tr(!pid  wh(!n  she  blew  up,  tlio  light  of  theexj)losion  would  have 
permitted  her  also  to  bo  seen ;  some  portions  of  her  wr<!ck 
would  have  lx)en  visible  next  day ;  and  her  masts  and  sails 
would  probably  have  l)ccn  Hying  in  tho  uir,  as  well  us  thoso 
of  tho  ketch. 

But  the  fact  that  only  thirteen  bodies  are  spoken  of  in  the 
private  journal  of  Captain  Hainbridgf!,  is  almost  conclusivo 
on  the  subject  that  no  Tripolitan  vessel  warj  blown  up  on  thin 
occasion.  This  entry  was  made  ot  the  time,  und  befortj  tho 
nature  of  the  expedition,  or  the  numljer  of  thoso  who  had  lx;en 
sent  in  the  ketch,  was  known  to  the  Americans  in  Tripoli.  The 
thirteen  bodies  account  exactly  for  all  on  Iwurd  ;  and  as  they 
cfmio  ashore  in  a  most  mutilutefl  state,  without  clothes,  in  sorno 
instances  without  legs,  arms,  or  heads,  it  was  impossible  to 
say  whether  thciy  vcro,  tho  mangled  remains  of  frijirids  or 
enemies.     Had  a  Tripolitan  blown  up  in  company,  there  must 


\ 


; 


214 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1804. 


have  been  many  more  bodies  in  the  same  state,  instead  of  the 
precise  number  mentioned,  and  Captain  Bainbridge  would  have 
been  as  likely  to  be  taken  to  see  a  dead  Turk,  as  to  see  a  dead 
American. 

The  missing  gun-boat,  of  which  Commodore  Preble  speaks 
in  his  report,  may  have  been  sunk  by  a  falling  shell ;  she  may 
have  been  shattered  and  hauled  into  the  galley-mole,  out  of 
sight ;  or,  she  may  have  removed  in  the  darkness,  and  been 
confounded  next  morning  with  others  of  the  flotilla.  Observa- 
tions made,  by  means  of  glasses,  in  a  crowded  port,  at  a  dis- 
tance of  two  or  three  miles,  are  liable  to  many  errors.  In 
short,  it  would  seem  to  be  the  better  opinion,  that,  from  some 
untoward  circumstance,  the  Intrepid  exploded  at  a  point  where 
she  did  little  or  no  injury  to  the  enemy.* 

One  of  three  things  seems  to  be  highly  probable,  concerning 
this  long-disputed  point,,  The  ketch  has  either  exploded  by 
means  of  the  enemy's  shot,  than  which,  nothing  was  easier  in 
the  situation  where  she  lay  ;  the  men  have  accidentally  fired 
the  magazine,  while  preparing  to  light  the  splinters  Lelow ;  or 
it  has  been  done  intentionally,  in  consequence  of  the  desperate 
condition  to  which  the  party  was  reduced,  by  the  destruction 
caused  by  grape.  Of  the  three,  after  weighing  all  the  circum- 
stances, it  is  natural  to  believe  that  the  first  was  the  most  pro- 
bable, as  it  was  certainly  easier  to  cause  a  vessel   like  the 


*  The  entry  in  the  private  journal  of  Captain  Bainbridge,  is  as  follows : 
"  Was  informed  that  tlie  explosion  that  we  heard  last  night,  proceeded 
from  a  vessel  (which  the  Americans  attempted  to  send  into  the  harbour,) 
blowing  up ;  which  imfortunate  scheme  did  no  damage  whatever  to  the 
Tripolitans ;  nor  did  it  even  appear  to  heave  them  into  confusion."     "  On 

the  8th,  by  the  bashaw's  permission,  with  Lieutenant ,  went  to  the 

beach  of  the  harbour,  and  there  saw  six  persons  in  a  most  mangled  and 
burnt  condition,  lying  on  the  shore ;  whom  we  supposed  to  have  been  part 
of  the  unfortunate  crew  of  the  fire>vessel,  the  bottom  of  which  grounded 
on  the  north  side  of  the  rocks  near  the  round  battery.  Two  of  these  dis- 
tressed-looking objects  were  fished  out  of  the  wreck.  From  the  whole  of 
them  being  so  much  disfigured,  it  was  impossible  to  recognise  any  known 
feature  to  us,  or  even  to  distinguish  an  ofRcer  from  a  seaman.  Mr.  Cowdery, 
who  accompanied  us,  informed  me  that  he  saw  six  others  yesterday,  on 
the  shore  to  the  southward,  which  were  supposed  to  have  come  from  the 
same  vessel.  He  also  informed  me  that  an  American  six-oared  boat, 
with  cne  man  in  her,  was  found  driflcd  on  the  beach  to  the  westward." 

On  the  subject  of  Commodore  Preble's  impressions  of  the  fate  of  the 
Intrepid,  it  may  be  well  to  say,  that  the  Constitution  left  Tripoli  soon 
after  the  ketch  was  blown  up,  and  that  his  letter  was  dated  at  Malta,  Sep- 
tember 18th.  Owing  to  this  circumstance,  he  must  necessarily  have  been 
ignorant  of  facta  that  were  subsequently  ascertained. 


1804.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


215 


Intrepid,  with  a  hundred  barrels  of  loose  powder  in  her  maga- 
zine,  to  explode  by  means  of  shot,  than  to  cause  a  vessel  like 
No.  8,  which  is  known  to  have  been  blown  up,  in  this  manner,  in 
the  action  of  the  7th  of  August.  As  regards  the  grape-shot 
wounds,  it  will  be  seen  that  Captain  Bainbridge  is  silent. 

A  sad  and  solemn  mystery,  after  all  our  conjectures,  must 
for  ever  veil  the  fate  of  those  fearless  officers  and  their  hardy 
followers.  In  whatever  light  we  view  the  affair,  they  were  the 
victims  of  that  self-devotion  which  causes  the  seaman  and  sol- 
dier to  hold  his  life  in  his  hand,  when  the  honour  or  interest  of 
his  country  demands  the  sacrifice.  The  name  of  Somers  has 
passed  into  a  battle-cry,  in  the  American  marine,  while  those 
of  Wadsworth  and  Israel  are  associated  with  all  that  can  en- 
noble intrepidity,  coolness,  and  daring. 

The  war,  in  one  sense,  terminated  with  this  scene  of  sublime 
destruction.  Commodore  Preble  had  consumed  so  much  of 
his  powder,  in  the  previous  attacks,  that  it  was  no  longer  in  his 
power  to  cannonade ;  and  the  season  was  fast  getting  to  be 
dangerous  to  remain  on  that  exposed  coast.  The  guns,  mor- 
tars, shells,  &c.,  were  taken  out  of  the  small  vessels,  on  ac- 
count of  the  appearance  of  the  weather,  the  day  after  the  loss 
of  the  Intrepid ;  and  on  the  7th,  the  John  Adams,  Siren,  Nau- 
tilus, Enterprise,  and  Scourge,  were  directed  to  take  the  bom- 
bards and  gun-boats  in  tow,  and  to  proceed  to  Syracuse ;  while 
the  Constitution,  with  the  Argus  and  Vixen  in  company,  main* 
tained  the  blockade.  It  is  not  known  that  another  shot  was 
fired  at  Tripoli. 

Three  days  later,  or  on  the  10th  of  September,  1804,  the  Pre- 
sident 44,  wearing  the  broad  pennant  of  Commodore  Barron, 
hove  in  sight,  with  the  Constellation  38,  Captain  Campbell,  in 
company,  when  the  command  was  regularly  transferred  to  the 
former  officer.  On  the  12th,  two  sail  were  cut  off,  while  at- 
tempting to  enter  Tripoli  loaded  with  wheat.  On  the  17th,  the 
Constitution  reached  Malta,  with  the  two  prizes ;  and  subse- 
quently. Commodore  Preble  went  to  Syracuse  in  the  Argus. 
At  a  later  day,  he  came  home  in  the  John  Adams,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  26th  of  February,  1805.  In  the  mean  time, 
Captain  Decatur  proceeded  to  Malta  and  took  command  of  the 
Constitution,  which  was  the  first  frigate  this  celebrated  officer 
ever  had  under  his  orders. 

The  country  fully  appreciated  the  services  of  Commodore 
Preble.  He  had  united  caution  and  daring  in  a  way  to  denote 
the  highest  military  qualities ;  and  his  success  in  general,  had 


216 


NAY  AL     HISTORY 


[1804. 


been  in  proportion.  The  attack  of  the  Intrepid,  the  only  ma* 
terial  failure  in  any  of  his  enterprises,  was  well  arranged,  and 
had  it  succeeded,  it  would  probably  have  produced  peace  in 
twenty-four  hours.  As  it  was,  the  bashaw  was  well  enough 
disposed  to  treat,  though  he  seems  to  have  entered  into  some 
calculations  in  the  way  of  money,  that  induced  him  to  hope 
the  Americans  would  still  reduce  their  policy  to  the  level  of 
his  own,  and  prefer  paying  ransom  to  maintaining  cruisers  so 
far  from  home.  Commodore  Preble,  and  all  the  officers  and 
men  under  his  orders,  received  the  thanks  of  Congress,  and  a 
gold  medal  was  bestowed  on  the  former.  By  the  same  reso- 
lution, Congress  expressed  the  sympathy  of  the  nation  in  be- 
half of  the  relatives  of  Captain  Richard  Somers,  Lieutenants 
Henry  Wadsworth,  James  Decatur,  James  R.  Caldwell,  and 
Joseph  Israel,  and  Mr.  John  Sword  Dorsey,  midshipman ;  the 
officers  killed  off  Tripoli. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

The  squadron  left  in  the  Mediterranean,  under  the  orders 
of  Commodore  Barron,  after  the  departure  of  Commodore 
Preble,  was  much  the  strongest  force  that  the  country  had  then 
assembled  in  that  sea.  It  consisted  of  the  following  vessels, 
viz.: 

President 44,  Capt.  Cox ;  Com.  Barron. 

Constitution 44,       "    Decatur. 

Congress 38,        «*     Rodgers. 

Constellation 38,        "     Campbell. 

Essex 32,       «    J.  Barron. 

Siren 16,       "    Stewart. 

Argus 16,       «    Hull. 

Vixen 12,        "    Smith. 

Enterprise 12,  Lieut.  Com.  Robinson. 

Nautilus 12,        "        "     Dent. 

The  blockade  of  Tripoli  was  maintained  by  different  vessels 
during  the  bad  season  of  1804-^ ;  but  no  attack  was  attempted, 
although  preparations  were  made  to  renew  the  war  in  the 
spring.  One  of  the  f  *'st  measures  of  Commodore  Preble,  on 
reaching  America,  was  to  urge  upon  the  government  the  ne- 
cessity of  building  suitable  bomb-ketches,  and  a  few  gun-boats 


1804.] 


NAVAL    HISTOB  Y. 


817 


fitted  to  canDonade  a  place  like  Tripoli.  His  advice  was  fol- 
lowed, the  vessels  being  immediately  laid  down ;  but  it  being 
found  impossible  to  have  the  ketches  ready  in  time,  the  two 
vessels  before  mentioned,  were  purchased,  strengthened,  and 
equipped  as  oombards. 

In  I^ovember,  Captain  Rodgers,  as  the  senior  officer,  was 
put  in  command  of  the  Constitution,  while  Captain  Decatur 
was  transferred  to  the  Congress.  The  winter  and  spring 
passed  in  this  manner,  the  blockade  being  maintained  with 
vigour,  most  of  the  time,  though  no  event  worthy  of  note  oc- 
curred off  the  port.  While  matters  remained  in  this  state  with 
the  ships,  a  movement  by  land  was  in  the  course  of  execution, 
that  must  now  be  recorded,  as  it  is  intimately  connected  with 
the  history  of  the  war. 

It  has  been  said  already,  that  Jussuf  Caramalli,  the  reigning 
pacha,  or  bashaw  of  Tripoli,  was  a  usurper,  having  deposed 
his  elder  brother  Hamet,  in  order  to  obtain  the  throne.  The 
latter  had  escaped  from  the  regency,  and,  afler  passing  a  wan- 
dering life,  he  had  taken  refuge  among  the  Mamelukes  of 
Egypt.  It  had  oflen  been  suggested  to  the  American  agents, 
that  the  deposed  prince  might  be  made  useful  in  carrying  on 
the  war  against  the  usurper ;  and  at  different  times,  several 
projects  had  been  entertained  to  that  effect,  though  never  with 
any  results.  At  length,  Mr.  Eaton,  the  consul  at  Tunis,  who 
had  been  a  captain  in  the  army,  interested  himself  in  the  en- 
terprise ;  and  coming  to  America,  he  so  far  prevailed  on  the 
government  to  lend  itself  to  his  views,  as  to  obtain  a  species 
of  indirect  support.  Commodore  Barron  was  directed  to  co- 
operate with  Mr.  Eaton,  as  far  as  he  might  deem  it  discreet. 

When  the  new  squadron  arrived  out,  it  was  accordingly  as- 
certained where  the  ex-bashaw  was  to  be  found,  and  Mr,  Ea- 
ton at  once  commenced  his  operations.  Two  or  three  days 
afler  Commodore  Barron  had  assumed  the  command  before 
Tripoli,  he  sent  the  Argus  16,  Captain  Hull,  with  that  gentle- 
man to  Alexandria,  where  he  arrived  on  the  26th  of  Novem- 
ber. On  the  29th,  Mr.  Eaton,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant 
O'Bannon,  of  the  marines,  and  Messrs.  Mann  and  Danielson, 
two  midshipmen  of  the  squadron,  proceeded  to  Rosetta,  and 
thence  to  Cairo.  The  viceroy  of  Egypt  received  them  with 
favour,  and  permission  was  obtained  for  the  prince  of  Tripoli 
to  pass  out  of  the  country  unmolested,  though  he  had  beea 
fighting  against  the  government,  with  the  discontented  Mame- 
lukes. 

19 


,^,,. 


■V 


n-- 


218 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1805. 


As  soon  as  Hamet  Caramalli  received  the  proposals  of  Mr. 
Eaton,  he  separated  himself  from  the  Mamelukes,  attended  by 
about  forty  followers,  and  repaired  to  a  point  twelve  leagues 
to  the  westward  of  the  old  port  of  Alexandria.  Here  he  was 
soon  joined  by  Mr.  Eaton,  at  the  head  of  a  small  troop  of  ad* 
venturers,  whom  he  had  obtained  in  Egypt.  This  party  was 
composed  of  all  nations,  though  Mr.  Eaton  expressed  his  be- 
lief, at  the  time,  that  had  he  possessed  the  means  of  subsist- 
ence, he  might  have  marched  a  body  of  30,000  men  against 
Tripoli,  the  reigning  bashaw  having  forced  so  many  of  his 
subjects  into  b\nishment.  Soon  after  the  junction  agreed 
upon,  Mr.  Eaton,  who  now  assumed  the  title  of  general, 
marched  in  the  direction  of  Derne,  taking  the  route  across  the 
Desert  of  Barca.     This  was  early  in  1805. 

The  Argus  had  returned  to  Malta  for  orders  and  stores,  and 
on  the  2d  of  April,  she  re-appeared  off  Bomba,  with  the  Hor- 
net 10,  Lieutendnt  Commandant  Evans,  in  company.  Cruis- 
ing on  this  coast  a  few  days,  without  obtaining  any  intelligence 
of  General  Eaton  and  the  bashaw,  Captain  Hull  steered  to  the 
westward,  and,  a  few  leagues  to  the  eastward  of  Derne,  he 
fell  in  with  the  Nautilus,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Dent.  On 
communicating  with  this  vessel,  which  was  lying  close  in  with 
the  shore,  Captain  Hull  ascertained  that  the  expedition  was  on 
the  coast,  and  that  it  waited  only  for  the  arms  and  supplies 
that  had  been  brought,  to  attack  Derne,  from  which  town  it 
was  but  a  league  distant.  A  field-piece  was  landed,  together 
with  some  stores  and  muskets,  and  a  few  marines  appear  to 
have  been  put  under  the  orders  of  Mr.  0'Ba:inon,  of  the  corps, 
when  the  vessels  took  their  stations  to  aid  in  the  attack. 

It  was  2,  P.  M.,  on  the  27th  of  April,  1806,  that  this  assault, 
so  novel  for  Americans  to  be  engaged  in,  in  the  other  hemi- 
sphere, was  commenced.  The  Hornet,  Lieutenant  Command- 
ant Evans,  having  run  close  in,  and  anchored  with  springs  on 
her  cables,  within  pistol-shot  of  a  battery  of  eight  guns,  opened 
her  fire.  The  Nautilus  lay  at  a  little  distance  to  the  eastward, 
and  the  Argus  still  further  in  the  same  direction,  the  two  latter 
firing  on  the  town  and  battery.  In  about  an  hour,  the  enemy 
were  driven  from  the  work,  when  all  the  vessels  directed  their 
guns  at  the  beach,  to  clear  the  way  for  the  advance  of  the 
party  on  shore.  The  enemy  made  an  irregular  but  spirited 
defence,  keeping  up  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry,  as  the  assail- 
ants advanced,  from  behind  houses  and  walls.  At  half-past  3, 
however,  Lieutenant  O'Bannon  and  Mr.  Mann  stormed  the 


1805.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


219 


principal  work,  hauling  down  tho  Tripolitan  ensign,  and,  for 
the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  country,  hoisting  that  of 
the  republic  on  a  fortress  of  the  old  world.  The  enemy  were 
driven  out  of  this  work  with  so  much  precipitation,  that  they 
left  its  guns  loaded,  und  even  primed.  The  cannon  were  im- 
mediately turned  upon  the  town,  and  Ilamct  Carumalli  having 
made  o  lodgment  on  the  other  side,  so  as  to  bring  tho  enemy 
IxJtween  two  fires,  the  place  submitted.  At  4  o'clock,  tho  boats 
of  tho  vessels  landed  with  ammunition  for  the  guns  and  to 
bring  off  tho  wounded.  Demo  being  completely  in  possession 
of  the  assailants. 

In  this  affair,  only  14  of  the  assailants  were  killed  and 
wounded.  General  Eaton  being  among  tho  latter.  The  attack 
was  made  by  about  1200  men,  while  tho  place  was  supposed 
to  be  defended  by  three  or  four  thousand.  One  or  two  at- 
tempts  were  made  by  the  Tripolitans,  to  regain  possession,  but 
they  were  easily  repulsed,  ond,  on  one  occasion,  with  some 
loss.  The  deposed  bashaw  remained  in  possession  of  tho 
town,  and  his  authority  was  partially  recognised  in  the  pro- 
vince. General  Eaton  now  earnestly  pressed  Commodore  Bar- 
ron for  further  supplies  and  reinforcements,  with  a  view  to 
march  on  Tripoli ;  but  they  were  denied,  on  the  ground  that 
Hamet  Caramalli  was  in  possession  of  tho  second  province  of 
the  regency,  and  if  ho  had  tho  influence  that  he  pretended  to 
possess,  ho  ought  to  be  able  to  effect  his  object  by  means  of 
the  ordinary  co-operation  of  the  squadron. 

On  the  22d  of  May  Commodore  Barron  transferred  the  com- 
mand, on  account  of  ill  health.  Tho  entire  force  under  this 
new  disposition,  when  the  vessels  known  to  be  about  to  sail 
should  arrive,  would  be  aa  follows : 

Constitution ....  44, Com.  Rougers. 

President 44, Capt.  Cox. 

Constellation ...  38, "     Campbell. 

Congress 38, "     Decatur. 

Essex 32, «     J.  Barron. 

John  Adams . . .  98, "     Chauncey. 

Siren 16, "     Stewart. 

Argus 16, ««     Hull. 

Vixen 12, "     Smith. 

Nautilus 12, Lieut.  Com.  Dent. 

Enterprise 12, "        "  Robinson. 

Hornet 12, "        "  Evans, 


220 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[180& 


t>  _-u  S  Venceance Lieut.  Com.  Lewis. 

'^"^        J  Spitfire "     M'Niell.       ^ 

No,     2 1  gun, "     Izard. 

3 2    " «     Maxwell. 

4 2    " «     J.D.Henley. 


Gun-boats. 


5. 
6, 
8. 
9, 
10, 

:i, 

12, 


.2 
.2 
.2 
.2 
.2 
.1 
.1 


" "  Harrison. 

" "  Lawrence. 

" "  Harraden. 

« ««  Elbert. 

" "  Carter. 


It 


Shortly  after  assunaing  the  comniand,  Commodore  Rodgers 
transferred  Captain  J.  Barron  from  the  Essex  32  to  the 
President  44,  giving  the  former  ship  to  Captain  Cox,  who  was 
only  a  master  and  commander. 

Negotiations  for  peace  now  commenced  in  earnest,  Mi*. 
Lear  having  arrived  off  Tripoli,  for  that  purpose,  in  the  Essex, 
Captain  Barron.  After  the  usual  intrigues,  delays,  and  pre- 
varications, a  treaty  was  signed  on  the  3d  of  June,  1805.  By 
this  treaty,  no  tribute  was  to  be  paid  in  future,  but  ^60,000 
were  given  by  America,  for  the  ransom  of  the  remaining 
prisoners,  after  exchanging  the  Tripolitans  in  her  power,  man 
for  man. 

Thus  terminated  the  war  with  Tripoli,  after  an  existence  of 
fbui  years.  It  is  probable  that  the  United  States  would  have 
tetained  in  service  soma  officers,  and  would  have  kept  up  a 
Small  force,  had  not  this  contest  occurred ;  but  its  influence  on 
the  fortunes  and  character  of  the  navy  is  incalculable.  It 
saved  the  first,  in  a  degree  at  least,  and  it  may  be  said  to  have 
formed  the  last. 


ldU5.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


22i 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


The  business  at  Tripoli  was  no  sooner  completed,  than  Com- 
modore Rodgers  sailed  with  thirteen  vessels,  gun-boats  includ- 
ed, and  anchored  in  Tunis  Bay  on  the  1st  of  August.  This 
movement  was  made  in  consequence  of  a  dispute  concerning 
a  xebeck  captured  by  ihe  Constitution,  for  endeavouring  to  vio- 
late the  recent  blockade  in  company  with  her  prizes.  As  soon 
as  the  consul  had  repaired  on  board  and  communicated  the 
state  of  things  in  the  regency,  a  council  of  war  was  called. 
The  rer"lt  was  a  letter  to  the  Bey,  demanding  to  know  if  a 
declarat)  made  to  the  consul,  in  which  he  had  said  that  the 
appearance  of  the  American  squadron  off  his  port  would  be 
considered  as  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  was  to  be  taken 
literally  or  not.  In  this  letter  the  Bey  was  given  to  under- 
stand, in  the  plainest  manner,  that  hostilities  would  commence 
on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  within  thirty-six  hours,  should 
he  decline  answering,  or  neglect  the  application. 

The  Bey,  accustomed  to  regard  the  Americans  as  tributa- 
ries, had  been  seeking  a  cause  for  war,  when  he  was  suddenly 
met  by  this  high  tone  on  the  part  of  those  whom  he  had  hither- 
to found  so  much  disposed  to  temporise.  At  first  he  appeared 
to  place  no  faith  in  the  demonstration,  and  the  required  an- 
swer was  not  sent.  Commodore  Rodgers,  in  consequence, 
directed  Captain  Decatur  to  land,  to  demand  an  audience  of 
the  Bey,  and  to  obtain  an  unequivocal  solution  of  the  question 
of  peace  or  war. 

It  is  probable  that  the  Bey  regarded  this  mission  as  one  of  a 
doubtful  nature,  also ;  for  he  refused  to  receive  Captain  Deca- 
tur in  the  character  in  which  he  had  been  sent.  That  spirited 
officer,  little  accustomed  to  temporismg,  declined  being  admit- 
ted in  any  other.  As  soon  as  the  intentions  of  both  parties 
had  been  explained,  Captain  Decatur  returned  on  board,  when 
"  the  royal  breast "  of  the  Bey  "  appeared  to  be  panic-struck." 
A  letter  was  sent  to  the  commodore,  signed  by  the  pacha  him- 
self, in  which  he  expressed  a  desire  to  treat,  and  using  the 
most  pacific  language.  Shortly  after  he  announced  a  wish  to 
send  a  minister  to  Washington.  This  moderated  tone  put  an 
end  to  the  threatened  hostilities,  and  after  a  negotiation  that 
19* 


223 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1805. 


lasted  nearly  a  month,  the  affair  was  arranged  with  the  re- 
gency, to  the  satisfaction  of  one  of  the  parties  at  least.  The 
xebeck  was  not  given  up.  In  September,  a  Tunisian  ambas- 
sador embarked  in  the  Congress  88,  Captain  Decatur,  and  in 
due  time  ho  was  landed  at  Washington. 

Commodore  Rodgers  remained  in  Tunis  Bay  more  than  a 
month,  literally  negotiating  under  the  muzzles  of  his  guns,  and 
the  result  proved  the  wisdom  of  the  course  he  had  taken.  The 
navy,  the  ablest  of  all  negotiators  in  such  matters,  had  com- 
pletely reversed  the  ancient  order  of  things ;  for,  instead  of  an 
American  agent's  being  compelled  to  solicit  the  restoration  of 
prizes,  illegally  taken,  in  Africa,  an  African  agent  was  now 
soliciting  the  restoration  of  prizes  legally  captured,  in  A.nerica. 
At  a  later  day,  the  xebeck  and  her  prizes  were  given  up,  as 
of  no  moment ;  but  when  the  Tunisian  minister  added  a  de- 
mand for  tribute,  agreeably  to  former  usage,  he  met  with  an 
explicit  denial.  After  a  short  residence,  he  returned  to  his 
master  with  the  latter  answer,  but  the  Bey  did  not  see  fit  to 
take  any  steps  in  consequence.  The  impression  made  by  the 
attacks  on  Tripoli,  and  by  the  appearance  of  the  American 
squadron  before  his  own  town,  would  seem  to  hovo  beon  last- 
ing. 

After  the  settlement  of  the  dispute  with  Tunis,  the  vessels 
in  the  Mediterranean  were  gradually  withdrawn,  though  it  was 
still  deemed  necessary  to  keep  a  small  squadron  in  that  sea. 
The  government  also  became  better  apprised  of  the  nature  of 
the  force  that  was  required,  in  carrying  on  a  war  with  the 
Barbary  states,  and  several  new  vessels  were  put  into  the  water 
about  this  time,  among  which  were  two  regularly  constructed 
bombards,  the  Etna  and  the  Vesuvius.  Two  sloops  of  war, 
of  the  most  approved  models,  were  also  built,  and  became  ac- 
tive cruisers  on  the  peace  establishment.  These  vessels  were 
the  Wasp  18,  and  the  Hornet  18,  the  former  being  a  ship  and 
the  latter  a  brig. 

The  condition  of  the  navy  may  be  said  to  hav  been  nega- 
tive at  the  period  of  which  we  are  now  writing ;  for,  whilo  all 
who  reflected  seriously  on  the  subject,  felt  the  necessity  of 
greatly  increasing  this  branch  of  the  national  iefence,  nothing 
efficient  was  attempted,  or,  apparently,  contemplated.  Ships 
of  the  line,  without  which  it  would  be  impossible  to  prevent 
any  of  even  the  secondary  maritime  states  of  Europe  from 
blockading  the  ports  of  the  country,  were  now  scarcely  men- 
tioned, and  the  materials  that  had  been  collected  for  that  ob- 


160G.] 


NAVAL     HIBTORY. 


U2'S 


joct  in  1800,  were  rapidly  disappearing  for  tho  purposes  of 
repairs  and  re-constructions.  It  is,  indeed,  difficult  to  imagine 
a  policy  as  short-sighted  and  feeble,  as  that  pursued  by  Con- 
grcss  at  this  particular  juncture.  With  political  relations  that 
were  never  free  from  the  appearances  of  hostilities,  a  trade 
that  covered  all  the  seas  of  the  known  world,  and  an  experi- 
ence that  was  replete  with  lessons  on  tho  necessity  of  repelling 
outrages  by  force,  this  great  interest  was  treated  with  a  neglect 
that  approached  fatuity.  To  add  to  this  oversight,  and  to  in- 
crease the  despondency  of  the  service,  as  well  as  of  all  those 
whose  views  extended  to  tho  future  necessities  of  tho  country, 
the  government  appears  to  have  adopted  a  policy,  in  connexion 
with  the  defence  of  the  harbours,  bays,  and  sounds  of  the  coast, 
that  was  singularly  adapted  to  breaking  down  the  high  tone 
that  the  navy  had  acquired  in  its  recent  experience.  This 
"  plan,"  which  has  been  generally  known  as  the  ♦'  gun-boat 
policy,"  originated  as  far  back  as  the  year  1803,  though  it  did 
not  become  of  sufficient  moment  to  be  particularly  noticed  until 
the  time  at  which  we  are  now  arrived,  in  the  regular  order  of 
events. 

The  gun-boats,  at  first,  were  well  received  in  the  service, 
since  they  gave  entrrprising  young  officers  commands ;  and  tho 
vessels  originally  constructed,  were  of  an  equipment,  size  and 
force,  which  in  a  measure  removed  the  objections  that  young 
sea-officers  would  be  apt  to  urge  against  serving  in  them.  At 
the  close  of  the  year  1806,  the  President  announced  to  Con- 
gress that  the  gun-boats  already  authorised  by  a  law  of  April 
of  the  same  year,  50  in  number,  were  so  far  advanced  as  to 
put  it  in  the  power  of  the  government  to  employ  them  all,  the 
succeeding  season ;  and  the  message  contained  a  recommenda- 
tion to  extend  the  system. 

An  event  soon  occurred  that  not  only  stimulated  this  policy, 
but  which  induced  the  government  to  resort  to  new  measures 
to  protect  the  country,  some  of  which  were  as  questionable,  as 
they  were  novel.  A  few  ships  had  been  kept  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, as  stated  ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  being  noted,  that,  with  a 
commerce  that,  in  1807,  employed  1,200,000  tons  of  shipping, 
this  was  the  only  foreign  station  on  which  an  American  cruis- 
er was  ever  seen  !  Neither  was  there  any  proper  home  squad- 
ron, notwithstanding  the  constant  complaints  that  were  made 
of  the  wrongs  inflicted  by  English  and  French  cruisers,  par- 
ticularly the  former,  at  the  very  mouths  of  the  harbours  of  the 
country. 


221 


N  A  \  A  L    H  1  B  T  0  R  Y  . 


IIUOG. 


On  the  yrnh  of  April,  1806,  tho  British  ship  Lounder  50, 
Captain  Whitby,  in  endeavouring  to  cut  off  a  small  coaster, 
that  was  running  for  Sandy  Hook,  fired  a  shot  into  her,  which 
killed  one  of  her  people.  This  outrage  occurred  quite  near 
tho  shore,  and  it  excited  a  strong  feeling  of  indignation,  in  a 
portion  of  tho  country^  at  least.  But,  unfortunately,  party 
spirit  had,  at  that  period,  taken  the  worst,  most  dangerous,  and 
least  creditable  form,  in  which  it  can  exist  in  any  free  country. 
By  neglecting  to  place  the  republic  in  an  attitude  to  command 
respect,  the  government  had  been  compelled  to  appeal  to  argu- 
orients  and  principles,  in  those  cases  in  which  an  appeal  to 
force  is  tho  only  preservative  of  national  rights,  and,  in  so  do- 
ing,  it  o|)ened  the  door  to  the  admission  of  sophisms,  counter- 
arguments and  discussions,  that,  in  the  end,  eflectunlly  arrayed 
one-half  of  the  community  against  tho  other,  and  this  too,  on 
matters  in  which  foreign  nations  were  the  real  parties  on  one 
side,  and  the  common  country  on  the  other.  In  a  word,  the 
great  mistake  was  made  of  admitting  of  controversy  concerning 
interests  that  all  wise  governments  hold  to  be  beyond  dispute. 

While  the  feelings,  policy,  and  preparations  of  the  United 
States  were  in  the  condition  just  mentioned,  the  Chesapeake 
38,  was  put  in  commission,  with  a  view  of  sending  her  to  the 
Mediterranean,  as  the  relief-shi[),  the  time  of  tho  people  of  the 
Constitution  44,  the  only  frigate  left  on  that  station,  being 
nearly  up.  Captain  Charles  Gordon,  the  youngest  master- 
commandant  on  the  list,  was  attached  to  the  Chesapeake  as 
her  captain,  and  Captain  James  Barron  was  selected  to  hoist  a 
broad  pennant  in  her,  as  commander  of  the  squadron. 

The  ship  remained  at  Washington,  taking  in  her  masts  and 
stores,  and  receiving  officers  and  men,  until  the  close  of  the 
spring.  During  this  time  the  English  minister  informed  the 
government  that  three  deserters  from  his  B.  M.  ship  Melampus, 
had  enlisted  among  the  crew  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  he  re- 
quested that  they  might  be  given  up.  Although  the  right  to 
demand  deserters  is  not  recognised  by  the  laws  of  nations, 
there  is  usually  a  disposition  between  friendly  governments  to 
aid  each  other  in  securing  these  delinquents,  especially  when 
it  can  be  done  under  circumstances  that  produce  no  direct  in- 
jury ;  and  the  matter  was  referred  by  the  navy  department, 
to  Commodore  Barron,  for  investigation.  The  inquiry  appears 
to  have  been  made  in  a  pifejapf  temper,  and  with  a  sincere  wish 
to  dismiss  the  men,  should^feey  actually  prove  to  be  what  was 
represented,  though  it  rni^t  be  questioned  whether  the  Presi- 


J^- 


•^-.'*' 

"^M- 


1807.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


JI35 


dent  hiiiiMf  It'  legally  possGHScd  nny  power  to  give  them  up  to 
their  own  iflicers.  ('ommodoro  Harron  directed  CapUiin  (Jor- 
don  to  inquire  into  the  matter  with  care,  and  to  make  his  re- 
port. It  was  ascertained  that  the  three  men  were  actually 
deserters  from  the  ship  named,  hut  they  all  claimed  to  be  im- 
pressed Amei;icans,  who  had  availed  themselves  of  the  first 
opportunity  that  offered  on  landing  in  their  native  country,  to 
make  their  escape  from  illegal  and  unjust  detention.  One  of 
these  men  was  said  to  be  a  native  of  the  Eastern  Shore,  a  part 
of  the  country  in  which  Captain  Gordon  was  born ;  and  that 
officer,  after  a  careful  examination,  appears  to  have  been  sa- 
tisfied with  the  truth  of  his  account.  Another  was  a  coloured 
man,  and  there  was  hardly  a  doubt  of  the  truth  of  his  allega- 
tions ;  while  the  case  of  the  third  seaman,  though  in  part  es- 
tablished, was  not  entirely  clear.  Under  the  circumstances, 
however,  a  seaman  found  in  the  country,  and  demanding  the 
protection  of  its  laws  as  a  native,  could  not  be  given  up  to  a 
service  that  was  known  constantly  to  violate  the  rights  of  in- 
dividuals, on  the  naked  demand  of  that  service,  and  in  the 
absence  of  all  affirmative  proof  of  its  not  having  abused  its 
power.  The  English  minister  received  the  report,  and  lie  ap- 
pears to  have  been  satisfied,  as  no  more  was  said  on  the  subject. 

About  the  beginning  of  June,  the  Chesapeake  sailed  from 
"v/ishington  tb  Norfolk.  At  this  time,  there  were  but  twelve 
guns  on  board  ;  and,  as  it  is  customary  for  all  vessels 
of  war  to  fire  a  salute  in  passing  Mount  Vernon,  it  was  dis- 
covered, on  that  occasion,  that  some  of  the  equipments  were 
imperfect.  Orders  were  issued  by  Captain  Gordon  in  conse- 
que.^cc,  though  the  circumstance  probably  excited  less  atten- 
tion than  would  otherwise  have  been  the  case,  on  account  of 
the  unfinished  state  of  the  vessel.  The  Chesapeake  arrived  in 
Hampton  Roads  on  the  4th  of  June ;  and  on  the  6th,  Commo- 
dore Barron  paid  her  a  short  visit. 

Between  the  6th  and  the  19th  of  June,  the  remainder  of  the 
guns  and- stores  were  received  on  board  the  Chesapeake,  her 
crew  was  completed  to  about  375  souls,  and  Captain  Gordon 
reported  her  to  Commodore  Barron  as  ready  for  sea.  Up  to 
the  6th  of  June,  the  people  had  not  been  quartered  at  all,  and 
between  that  day  and  the  time  of  sailing,  they  had  been  at 
quarters  but  three  times  ;  on  neither  of  which  occasions  were 
the  guns  exercised. 

About  8  A.  M.,  June  22d,  the  Chesapeake  got  under  way, 
from  Hampton  Roads,  bound  to  the  Mediterranean.     At  that 


226 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1807. 


I 


early  day,  the  armament  of  the  ship  consisted  of  28  cighteen- 
pounders  on  her  gun-deck,  and  of  12  carronades  above,  mak- 
ing a  total  of  40  guns. 

A  squadron  of  British  ships  of  war,  varying  constantly  in 
numbers  and  vessels,  had  been  watching  some  French  frigates 
that  lay  at  Annapolis  several  months.  It  was  their  practice  to 
lie  in  Lynnhaven,  or  occasionally  to  cruise  in  the  oning.  On 
the  21st  of  June,  this  squadron  had  consisted  of  three  vessels  ; 
one  of  which  was  the  Bellona  74,  and  another  the  Melampus 
38,  the  ship  from  which  the  three  seamen  already  mentioned, 
had  deserted.  On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  fourth  ves- 
sel, which  was  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  the  Leopai'd  50, 
Captain  Humphreys,  came  in  and  anchored.  The  Leopard  was 
a  small  two-decker,  hod  a  lower-deck  battery  of  twenty-fours, 
and  is  said  to  have  mounted  56  guns.  When  the  Chesapeake 
weighed,  up  at  Hampton  Roads,  the  Leopard  lifted  her  anchor, 
and  preceded  the  American  frigat'3  to  sea.  The  wind  was 
light,  at  northwest ;  and  as  the  Leopard  got  an  offing,  she  dis- 
appeared behind  Cape  Henry. 

A  little  after  12  o'clock,  the  Chesapeake  was  up  with  the 
cape,  when  the  wmd  shifted  to  the  southward  and  eastward. 
As  she  opened  the  offing,  the  Leopard  was  seen  a  few  miles  to 
windward,  heading  to  the  eastward,  with  apparently  very  little 
air.  She  soon  took  the  new  wind,  however,  when  both  ships 
made  stretches  to  get  off"  the  land,  there  being  a  good  working 
breeze  and  perfectly  smooth  water.  The  Leopard  tacked  with 
the  Chesapeake,  though  the  latter  ship  appears  to  have  closed 
with  her,  the  distance  between  the  two  vessels  gradually  less- 
ening. By  some  accounts,  the  English  ship  shortened  sail  in 
order  to  allow  this.  Up  to  this  moment,  however,  it  is  the  bet- 
ter opinion,  that  there  was  nothing  unusual  or  suspicious  in  her 
movements.  The  British  cruisers  were  in  the  habit  of  stand- 
ing out  in  this  manner,  and  the  Leopard  obtained  the  weather 
gage  altogether  by  the  shift  of  wind. 

About  3  o'clock,  both  vessels  having  an  offing  of  some  six 
or  eight  miles,  the  Chesapeake  tacked  to  the  eastward  again, 
and  the  Leopard,  then  about  a  mile  to  windward,  wore  round, 
and  came  down  upon  her  weather  quarter,  when  she  hailed,  in- 
forming Commodore  Barron  that  she  had  despatches  for  him. 
Commodore  Barron  answered  that  he  would  hcave-to,  and  re- 
ceive a  boat.  Both  vessels  now  came  to,  the  Chesapeake  by 
laying  her  main-topsail  to  the  mast,  while  the  accounts  appear 
uncertain,  whether  the  Leopard  backed  her  forward  or  her  after 


1807.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


227 


sails.  At  this  time,  it  was  observed  by  some  of  the  officers  on 
board  the  Chesapealce,  that  the  EngHsh  ship  had  her  lower 
ports  triced  up,  and  tiie  tompions  out  of  her  guns.  It  does 
not  apjjcar  that  the  latter  fact,  however,  the  only  one  of  mo- 
ment, was  reported  to  cither  Captain  Gordon  or  Commodore 
Barron. 

In  a  few  minutes,  a  boat  from  the  Leopard  came  alongside 
of  the  Chesapeake,  and  her  officer  was  shown  into  the  cabin, 
where  he  was  received  by  Commodore  Barron.  Here  the  Eng- 
lish lieutenant  produced  an  order,  signed  by  Vice- Admiral 
Berkley,  dated  Halifax,  June  1st,  and  addressed  to  all  the  cap- 
tains of  the  ships  under  his  command,  directing  them,  should 
they  fall  in  with  the  Chesapeake  out  of  the  waters  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  at  sea,  to  show  her  commander  this  order ;  to 
"  require  to  search  for  deserters,"  and  "  to  proceed  and  search 
for  the  same ;"  offering  at  the  same  time,  to  allow  of  a  similar 
search  on  board  their  own  vessels.  Accompanying  this  order, 
was  a  note  from  the  commander  of  the  Leopard,  addressed  to 
the  commander  of  the  Chesapeake,  referring  to  the  order  of  the 
vice-admiral,  and  expressing  a  hope  "  that  every  circumstance 
respecting  them,  (the  deserters)  may  be  adjusted  in  a  manner 
that  the  harmony  subsisting  between  the  two  countries  may 
remain  undisturbed."  To  this  note.  Commodore  Barron  re- 
turned an  answer,  stating  that  he  knew  of  no  such  deserters  as 
described.  He  added,  that  his  recruiting  officers  had  been 
particularly  instructed  by  the  government  not  to  enter  any  de- 
serters from  the  English  ships,  and  that  his  orders  would  not 
allow  him  to  suffer  his  jxjople  to  be  mustered  by  any  officers 
but  their  own. 

By  referring  to  this  correspondence,  which  has  been  often 
printed,  it  will  be  seen  that  neither  the  order  of  Vice-Admi- 
ral  Berkley,  the  note  of  Captain  Humphreys,  nor  the  an- 
swer of  Commodore  Barron,  was  perfectly  explicit  on  the 
important  points,  of  whether  force  would  be  used,  if  the  al- 
leged deserters  were  not  given  up,  or  whether  they  would  be 
refused,  could  it  be  shown,  by  any  other  means  than  that  of 
being  mustered  by  foreign  officers,  that  the  men  required  were 
among  the  Chesapeake's  crew.  In  a  word,  the  order  and  note 
were  vague  and  general ;  and  the  answer,  as  far  as  it  went,  the 
most  direct  document  of  the  three,  appears  to  have  been  framed 
in  a  similar  spirit.  The  British  officer  was  ordered  to  "  re- 
quire" of  the  captain  of  the  Chesapeake,  "  to  search  his  ship 
for  deserters,"  &c.,  and  '*  to  proceed  and  search  for  the  same," 


228 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1807. 


&c.  Nothing  is  said  of  compelling  a  search ;  and  though  the 
term  "  require"  was  a  strong  one,  the  whole  phraseology  of  the 
order  was  such  as  might  very  well  raise  doubts,  under  the  pe- 
culiar circumstances,  how  far  a  party,  who  made  professions 
of  a  desire  to  preserve  the  harmony  of  the  two  nations,  might 
feel  disposed  to  violate  public  law,  in  order  to  enforce  its  ob- 
ject. The  note  of  Captain  Humphreys  was  just  as  explicit, 
and  just  as  vague  as  the  order,  being  a  mere  echo  of  its  spirit. 
Commodox'e  Barron  very  clearly  refused  to  permit  a  British 
officer  to  search  for  a  deserter,  while  he  did  not  touch  the  gene- 
ral principle,  or  what  he  might  do,  could  it  be  shown  by  less 
objectionable  means,  that  there  was  a  British  deserter,  of  the 
sort  mentioned  in  the  order,  on  board  the  Chesapeake,  and  the 
demand  on  the  part  of  the  English  officers,  to  search  in  person, 
was  abandoned.  Had  there  even  existed  a  clause  in  the  treaty 
between  Eni^land  and  America,  rendering  it  obligatory  on  the 
two  nations  to  deliver  up  each  other's  deserters,  the  requisition 
of  Vice-Admiral  Berkley,  taken  as  an  order  to  search  in  per- 
son, would  have  so  far  exceeded  the  probable  construction  of 
reason,  as  to  justify  an  officer  in  supposing  that  nothing  be- 
yond a  little  well-managed  intimidation  was  intended,  since 
nations  do  not  usually  permit  their  treaties  to  be  enforced  by 
any  but  their  own  agents.  While  there  was  something  very 
equivocal,  beyond  doubt,  in  the  whole  procedure  of  the  Bri- 
tish, it  was  so  high-handed  a  measure  to  commence  a  demand 
for  deserters,  by  insisting  on  a  right  to  search  a  foreign  vessel 
of  war  in  person  for  them,  that  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  be- 
lieve any  design  to  enforce  a  demand  so  utterly  out  of  the  regu- 
lar course  of  things,  could  be  seriously  entertained.  It  ought 
to  be  added,  that  the  deserters  alluded  to  in  the  order  of  Vice- 
Admiral  Berkley,  were  not  those  from  the  Melampus,  already 
spoken  of,  but  men  from  other  ships',  who  were  supposed  to 
have  entered  on  board  the  Chesapeake  at  a  much  later  day. 

The  English  lieutenant  was  on  board  the  Chesapeake  some 
time ;  the  accounts  of  the  length  of  his  visit  varying  from  15 
to  45  minutes.  It  is  probable  he  was  fully  half  an  hour  in  the 
cabin.  His  stay  appears  to  have  been  long  enough  to  excite 
uneasiness  on  board  his  own  ship ;  for,  while  Commodore  Barron 
was  deliberating  on  the  course  he  ought  to  pursue,  information 
was  sent  below  that  a  signal  was  flying  on  board  the  Leopard, 
which  her  officer  immediately  declared  to  be  an  order  for  the 
return  of  the  boat.  Soon  after  this  signal  was  shown,  the 
answer  of  Commodore  Barron  was  delivered. 


1807.1 


NAVAL    HI  STORY. 


229 


Commodore  Barron  now  sent  for  Captain  Gordon,  and  told 
him  to  get  the  gun-deck  clear,  a  duty  that  had  been  commenced 
an  hour  or  two  before,  without  reference  to  the  Leopard.  He 
then  went  on  deck.  Soon  after  the  English  officer  had  passed 
out  of  the  ship  into  his  own  boat,  by  the  larboard,  or  lee-gang* 
way.  Commodore  Barron  appeared  in  the  starboard, or  weather- 
gangway,  to  examine  the  Leopard.  Here  it  would  seem  that 
the  latter  was  forcibly  struck  with  the  appearance  of  prepara- 
tion on  board  the  English  ship,  and  the  idea  that  a  resort 
might  be  had  to  force  begun  to  impress  him  seriously.  He 
issued  an  order  to  Captain  Gordon,  to  haster  the  work  on  the 
gun-deck,  and  to  go  to  quarters.  In  consequence  of  the  latter 
order,  a  few  taps  were  beaten  on  the  drum,  but  that  instrument 
was  stopped  by  directions  of  Commodore  Barron,  and  instruc- 
tions were  given  to  get  the  people  to  their  quarters  with  as 
little  noise  and  parade  as  possible,  in  order  to  gain  time,  if  the 
Leopard  really  meditated  hostilities. 

It  is  not  easy  to  imagine  a  vessel  of  war  in  a  more  unfor- 
tunate situation,  than  that  of  the  Chesapeake  at  this  particular 
moment.  With  a  ship  of  superior  force  within  pistol-shot,  on 
her  weather-quarter,  her  guns  trained,  matches  burning,  people 
drilled,  and  every  thing  ready  to  commence  a  heavy  fire,  while 
she  herself  was  littered  and  lumbered,  with  a  crew  that  had  not 
yet  exercised  her  guns,  and  which  had  been  only  three  times 
even  mustered  at  their  quarters.  The  business  of  coiling  away 
her  cables,  which  had  lain  on  the  gun-deck  until  after  two 
o'clock,  was  still  going  on,  while  ^he  cabin  bulk-head,  cabin 
furniture,  and  some  temporary  pantries  were  all  standing  all. 
A  good  deal  of  the  baggage  of  the  passengers  in  the  ship  was 
also  on  the  gun-deck.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  some  of 
the  lieutenants  had  regarded  the  movements  of  the  Leopard 
with  distrust  from  the  beginning ;  and  the  vessel  being  particu- 
larly well  officered,  these  gentlemen  soon  made  an  active  com- 
mencement towards  getting  the  ship  clear.  The  guns  were  all 
loaded  and  shotted,  but  on  examination,  it  was  found  that  there 
was  a  deficiency  in  rammers,  wads,  matches,  gun-locks,  and 
powder-horns.  While  things  were  in  this  awkward  condition. 
Commodore  Barron  continued  in  the  gangway  examining  the 
Leopard.  The  cutter  of  the  latter  'vas  a  few  minutes  in  pulling 
back  to  that  vessel,  and  as  soon  as  ihe  people  were  out  of  her, 
she  was  dropped  astern,  where  most  of  the  boats  were  towing, 
and  the  English  ship  hailed.  Commodore  Barron  answered 
that  he  did  not  understand  the  hail,  when  the  Leopard  fired  a 
20 


■■<m 


230 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


fl807. 


shot  ahead  of  the  Chesapeake.  In  a  few  seconds  this  shot  was 
followed  by  an  entire  broadside.  By  this  discharge,  in  addi* 
ti(  n  to  many  injuries  done  the  ship,'  Commodore  Barron,  who 
continued  in  the  gangway,  and  his  aid,  Mr.  Broom,  were 
wounded.  The  Leopard  was  now  hailed,  and  some  answer 
was  returned,  but  the  noise  and  confusion  rendered  all  attempts 
at  a  communication  in  this  mode  useless. 

Every  exertion  was  making  all  the  while,  to  get  the  bat- 
teries ready,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  forward  gun  below, 
the  port  of  which  was  still  down  on  account  of  the  anchor,  it 
appears  that  one  broadside  might  have  been  fired,  had  not  the 
means  of  discharging  the  guns  been  absolutely  wanting.  For 
some  time,  there  was  no  priming  powder,  and  when  an  insuffi- 
cient quantity  did  finally  arrive,  there  were  no  matches,  locks, 
nor  loggerheads.  Some  of  the  latter  were  brought  from  the 
galley,  however,,  and  they  were  applied  to  the  priming,  but 
were  too  cold  to  be  of  use.  In  the  mean  while,  the  Leopard, 
in  an  excellent  position,  and  favoured  by  smooth  water,  was 
deliberately  pouring  in  her  whole  fire  upon  an  unresisting  ship. 
This  slate  of  things  lasted  from  twelve  to  eighteen  minutes, 
when  Commodore  Barron,  having  repeatedly  desired  that  one 
gun,  eX  least,  might  be  discharged,  ordered  the  colours  to  be 
hauled  down.  Just  as  the  ensign  reached  the  taffrail,  one  gun 
was  fired  from  the  second  division  of  the  ship.* 

The  Chesapeake  immediately  sent  a  boat  on  board  the 
Leopard,  to  say  that  the  ship  was  at  the  disposal  of  the  Eng- 
lish captain,  when  the  latter  directed  his  officers  to  muster  the 
American  crew.  The  three  men  claimed  to  be  deserters  from 
the  Melampus,  and  one  that  had  run  from  the  Halifax  sloop  of 
war,  wera  carried  away.  Commodore  Barron  now  sent  an- 
other note  to  Captain  Humphreys,  to  state  his  readiness  to  give 
up  his  ship  ;  but  the  latter  declining  to  take  charge  of  her,  a 
council  of  officers  was  called,  and  the  Chesapeake  returned  to 
Hampton  Roads  the  same  evening. 

In  this  affair,  the  Leopard,  of  course,  did  not  sufier  at  all. 
Not  so  with  the  Chesapeake,  although  the  injuries  she  sus- 
tained, were  probably  less  than  might  have  been  expected. 
The  accounts  of  the  duration  of  the  firing,  vary  from  seven  to 
twenty  minutes,  though  the  majority  of  opinions  place  it  at 

*This  gun  wv-*  discharged  by  means  of  a  coal  brought  from  the  galley, 
which  was  applied  by  Lieutenant  Allen,  the  officer  of  the  division,  with 
his  fingers,  after  an  unBUCcessful  attempt  to  make  use  of  a  loggerhead. 


m 


1807.1 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


231 


about  twelve.  Three  men  were  killed  on  the  spot ;  eight  were 
badly,  and  ten  were  slightly  wounded;  making  a  total  of 
twenty-one  casualties.  The  Leopard  appears  to  have  thrown 
the  weight  of  her  grape  into  the  lower  sails,  the  courses  and 
fore-topmasi  slay-sail  having  been  riddled  with  that  description 
of  shot.  Twenty-one  round  shot  struck  the  hull.  All  three 
of  the  lower  masts  of  the  American  frigate  were  injured, 
and  a  good  deal  of  rigging  was  cut ;  still  the  impression 
left  by  the  occurrence,  went  to  convince  the  American  service, 
that  English  fire  was  not  so  formidable  as  tradition  and  rurfiOur 
had  made  it. 

The  attack  on  the  Chesapeake,  and  its  results,  created  a 
strong  and  universal  sensation  in  America.  At  rirst,  as  ever 
happens  while  natural  feeling  and  national  sentiment  are  unin- 
fluenced by  calculations  of  policy,  there  was  but  one  voice  of 
indignation  and  resentment,  though,  in  a  short  time,  the  fiend 
of  party  lifted  his  head,  and  persons  were  not  wanting  who 
presumed  to  justify  the  course  taken  by  the  English  vice-ad- 
miral. Notwithstanding  these  exceptions,  the  general  effect 
was  certainly  very  adverlte  to  the  British  cause  in  America ; 
and  the  injury  was  not  fairly  forgotten,  until  it  had  been  ef- 
faced from  the  public  mind  by  many  subsequent  victories. 

Courts-martial  were  held  on  Commodore  Barron,  Captain 
Gordon,  Captain  Kali,  of  the  marines,  and  the  gunner  of  the 
ship.  The  first  was  distinctly  acquitted  of  cowardice,  but  was 
found  guilty  of  "  neglecting,  on  the  probability  of  an  engage- 
ment, to  clear  his  ship  for  action."  The  sentence  was  a  sus- 
pension from  pay  and  rank,  for  five  years.  Captain  i  )rdon 
was  found  guilty  of  negligently  performing  some  of  his  minor 
duties,  and  was  privately  reprimanded.  Captain  Hall  received 
the  same  sentence,  a  little  mitigated;  and  the  gunner  was 
cashiered. 


232 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1807. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

CoNGRBSS  was  convened  on  the  26th  of  October ;  and,  as 
soon  as  there  had  been  time  to  deliberate  on  what  had  passed, 
the  President,  by  his  proclamation,  interdicted  all  British  ves- 
sels of  war  from  entering  the  American  waters.  When  the 
national  legislature  assembled,  a  proposition  io  increase  the 
number  of  gun- boats  was  laid  before  it.  Without  a  suificient 
naval  force  to  raise  a  blockade  that  should  be  sustained  by 
three  ships  of  the  line ;  with  all  the  experience  of  the  war  of 
the  Revolution  fresh  in  their  recollections ;  and  with  the  pros- 
pect of  a  speedy  contest' with  a  people  that  scarcely  hesitated 
about  closing  the  ports  of  the  Union  in  a  time  of  peace,  tho 
legislators  of  the  day  misdirected  the  resources  of  a  great  and 
growing  country,  by  listening  to  this  proposition,  and  creating 
a  species  of  force  that,  in  its  native,  is  merely  auxiliary  to 
more  powerful  means,  and  which  is  as  entirely  unfitted  to  the 
moral  character  of  the  people,  as  it  is  to  the  natural  formation 
of  the  coast.  On  the  18th  of  December,  a  law  was  passed 
authorising  the  construction  of  188  gun-boats,  in  addition  to 
those  already  built,  which  would  raise  the  total  number  of  ves- 
sels of  this  description  in  the  navy  to  257.  This  was  the  de- 
velopment of  the  much-condemned  "  gun-boat  system,"  which, 
for  a  short  time,  threatened  destruction  to  the  pride,  discipline, 
tone,  and  even  morals,  of  the  service. 

There  can  be  no  question,  that,  in  certain  circumstances, 
vessels  of  this  sort  may  be  particularly  usefijl ;  but  these  cir- 
cumstances are  of  rare  occurrence,  as  they  are  almost  always 
connected  with  attacks  on  towns  and  harbours.  As  the  policy 
is  now  abandoned,  it  is  unnecessary  to  point  out  the  details  by 
which  it  is  rendered  particularly  unsuitable  to  this  country, 
though  there  is  one  governing  principle  that  may  be  mention- 
ed, whl  'h,  of  itself,  demonstrates  its  unfitness.  The  American 
coast  has  an  extent  of  near  two  thousand  miles,  and  to  protect 
it  by  means  of  gun-boats,  even  admitting  the  practicability  of 
the  method,  would  involve  an  expenditure  sufficient  to  create 
a  movable  force  i:i  ships,  that  would  not  only  answer  all  the 
same  purposes  of  defence,  but  which  would  possess  the  addi- 
tional  advantage  of  acting,  at   need,  offensively.     In  other 


1809.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


233 


words,  it  was  entailing  on  the  country  the  cost  of  an  efficient 
marine,  without  enjoying  its  advantages. 

At  the  time  when  the  laws  of  nations  and  the  flag  of  the 
United  States  were  outraged,  in  the  manner  related  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  the  government  was  empowered  to  employ  no 
more  than  1425  seamen,  ordinary  seamen  and  boys,  in  all  the 
vessels  of  the  navy,  whether  in  commission  or  in  ordinary. 
The  administration  felt  that  this  number  was  insufficient  for 
the  common  wants  of  the  service,  and  early  in  1S08,  the  se- 
cretary asked  for  authority  to  raise  1278  additional  men,  to 
be  put  on  board  the  gun-boats  that  were  now  ready  to  receive 
them.     The  necessary  law,  however,  was  withheld. 

The  near  approach  of  a  war,  that  succeeded  the  attack  of 
the  Leopard,  appears  to  have  admonished  the  English  govern- 
ment of  the  necessity  of  using  some  efficient  means  of  settling 
the  long-pending  disputes  between  the  two  nations,  and  nego- 
tiation'- were  carried  on  during  the  year  1808,  in  a  temper  that 
promised  a  pacific  termination  to  the  quarrel ;  and,  in  strict  cop- 
formity  with  a  practice,  (it  would  be  an  abuse  of  terms  to  call 
it  a  policy,)  that  has  long  prevailed  in  the  country,  the  time 
that  should  have  been  actively  employed  in  preparations,  was 
irreclaimably  lost,  in  the  idle  expectation  that  they  would  not 
be  needed.  No  act  was  passed,  nor  any  appropriation  made, 
either  for  the  employment  of  more  men,  or  for  placing  in  com- 
mission any  additional  vessels,  until  the  lastot  January,  1809, 
when  the  PresicLnt  was  directed  to  equip  the  United  States  44, 
President  44,  Essex  32,  and  John  Adams  24 ;  the  latter  ves- 
sel having  been  cut  down  to  a  sloop  of  war.  By  the  same 
law,  the  navy  was  greatly  increased  in  efficiency,  as  respects 
the  officers  and  men,  the  President  being  authorised  to  appoint 
as  many  additional  midshipmen  as  would  make  a  total  of  450, 
and  to  employ  in  all,  5025  seamen,  ordinary  seamen,  and 
boys.  By  adding  the  remaining  officers,  and  the  marine  corps, 
the  whole  service  could  not  have  contained  a  total  of  less  than 
7000  persons,  when  the  act  was  carried  into  execution. 

The  equipment  of  the  ships  just  mentioned,  and  the  active 
employment  of  all  the  small  vessels  of  the  service,  probably 
saved  the  navy  of  the  United  States  from  a  total  disorganisa- 
tion. It  was  the  means  «^f  withdrawing  a  large  portion  of  the 
officers  from  the  gun-boaii,  and  of  renewing  that  high  tone 
and  admirable  discipline  which  had  distinguished  it  at  the  close 
of  the  Tripolitan  war.  By  this  time,  nearly  all  the  midship- 
men who  had  been  before  Tripoli,  were  lieutenants ;  and  there 
20* 


234 


NAVAL 


HISTORY. 
* 


[1810. 


was  already  one  instance  in  which  an  officer,  who  had  enter- 
ed the  navy  as  a  midshipn)  in,  commanded  the  frigate  in  which 
he  had  first  served.* 

In  the  course  of  the  summer  of  1808,  too,  it  was  thought 
prudent  to  make  a  corimencement  towards  the  employment 
of  a  force  on  the  lake; ;  England  already  possessing  ships  on 
Ontario  and  Erie. 

There  being  no  esj>ecial  law  for  such  an  object,  advantage 
was  taken  of  the  discretionary  powers  granted  to  the  President 
under  the  act  for  building  gun-boats.  A  few  officers  were 
placed  under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant  M.  T.  Woolsey,  and 
that  gentleman  was  empowered  to  make  contracts  for  the  con- 
struction of  three  vessels,  one  of  whicii  was  to  be  built  on 
Lake  Ontari  i,  and  the  other  two  on  Lake  Champlain.  The 
two  vessels  constructed  on  Lake  Champlain  were  ordinary 
gun-boats,  but  that  constructed  on  Lake  Ontario  was  a  regu- 
lar  brig  of  war.  The  latter  was  of  about  two  hundred  and 
ftyty  tons  measarement,  was  pierced  for  sixteen  guns,  and 
when  delivered  by  the  contractors,  in  the  spring  of  1809,  to 
the  sea-officers  ordered  to  receive  her,  she  mounied  16  twenty- 
four  pound  carronades.  In  consequence  of  an  arrangement 
that  was  made,  about  this  time,  with  England,  but  which  was 
not  ratified  in  Europe,  this  vessel,  which  was  called  the  Onei- 
da, was  not  equipped  and  sent  upon  the  lake  till  the  following 
year. 

This  was  a  period  of  vacillating  policy  in  both  nations, 
England,  at  times,  appearing  disposed  to  arrange  amicably  the 
many  different  points  that  had  arisen  with  America,  and  the 
latter  country  acting,  at  moments,  as  if  it  believed  war  to  be 
impossible,  while  at  others,  it  seemed  to  be  in  earnest  with  its 
preparations.  Thus  passed  the  years  1808,  1809,  and  1810, 
the  embargo  having  been  raised,  followed  by  a  non-intercourse 
law  with  Great  Britain,  end  succeeded  by  an  absence  of  all 
restrictions. 

During  this  period  of  doubt,  the  vessels  of  the  navy  that 
were  in  commission,  were  principally  employed  on  the  coast, 
or  they  kept  up  the  communications  with  the  different  diplo- 
matic agents  in  Europe,  by  carrying  despatches.  There  is  no 
question  that  these  were  important  years  to  the  service ;  for, 
since  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake,  the  utmost  vigilance  pre- 
vailed, and  every  commander  watched  jetil">usly  for  an  oppor- 


*  Captain  Decatur. 


1811.] 


NAV      L     HISTORY. 


235 


tunity  to  wipe  out  the  disgrace,  real  or  imaginary,  of  that  un- 
fortunate affair.  No  more  vessels  were  sent  to  the  Mediterra- 
nean,  but  the  whole  maritime  force  of  the  republic  was  kept 
at  home.  The  country  had  now  in  active  service  the  follow- 
ing vessels,  viz : 


President 44, 

Constitution 44, 

United  States 44, 

Essex 32, 

John  Adams  ......  20, 

Wasp 18, 


Hornet 18, 

Argus 16, 

Siren 16, 

Nautilus 12, 

Enterprise 12, 

Vixen 12. 


In  addition  to  these  cruisers,  were  a  great  number  of  gun- 
boats, which  were  principally  commanded  by  sailing-masters, 
who  had  been  selected  from  among  the  officers  of  merchant 
vessels.  The  Nautilus  and  Vixen  had  both  been  rigged  into 
brigs ;  the  Enterprise  soon  after  was  altered  in  the  same  man- 
ner ;  and  an  occasion  to  rebuild  the  Hornet  occurring,  she  was 
converted  into  a  ship,  and  pierced  for  two  more  guns,  making 
twenty  in  all.  Unhappily,  the  opportunity  was  lost  of  equip- 
ping a  force  that  could  prevent  blockades. 

The  English  increased  their  cruisers  on  the  American  coast, 
in  proportion  to  the  Americans  themselves,  though  their  ves- 
sels no  longer  lay  off  the  harbours,  impressing  men,  and  de- 
taining ships.  It  was  seldom  that  a  British  cruiser  was  now 
seen  near  the  land,  the  government  probably  cautioning  its 
commanders  to  avoid  unnecessary  exhibitions  of  this  sort,  with 
a  view  to  prevent  collisions.  Still  they  were  numeroiis,  cruised 
at  no  great  distance,  and  by  keeping  up  constant  communica- 
tions between  Bermuda  and  Halifax,  may  be  said  to  have  in- 
tercepted nearly  every  ship  that  passed  from  one  hemisphere 
to  the  other. 

Such,  in  effec-t,  «vas  the  state  of  things  in  the  spring  of  the 
year  1811,  when  information  was  received  by  the  senior  offi- 
cer of  the  navy  afloat.  Commodore  Rodgers,  that  a  man  had 
been  impressed  from  an  American  brig,  at  no  great  distance 
from  Sandy  Hook,  by  an  English  frigate  that  was  supposed  to 
be  the  Guerriere  38,  Captain  Dacres.  The  broad  pennant  of 
Commodore  Rodgers  was  flying  on  board  the  President  44, 
Captain  Ludlow,  which  ship  was  then  anchored  off  Annapolis. 
Repairing  on  board  his  vessel,  he  got  under  way,  with  an  in- 
tention of  proceeding  off  New  York  to  inquire  into  the  facts, 
on  the  10th  of  May  ;  passing  the  capes  shortly  after. 


236 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1811. 


On  the  16th  of  May,  at  noon,  a  sail  was  mado  from  tho 
President,  which  ship  was  then  about  six  leagues  from  the 
land,  to  the  southward  of  New  York.  It  was  soon  perceived, 
by  the  squareness  of  his  yards,  and  the  symmetry  of  his  sails, 
that  the  stranger  was  a  vessel  of  war,  and  the  American  fri- 
gate stood  for  him,  with  an  intention  to  get  within  hail.  At  2 
the  President  set  her  broad  pennant  and  ensign.  The  stran- 
ger now  made  several  signals ;  but  finding  they  were  not  an- 
swered, ho  wore  and  stood  to  tho  southward.  Although  the 
President  gained  upon  the  chase,  the  wind  lessened,  and  night 
set  in  before  she  could  get  near  enough  to  distinguish  her  fc/ce. 
It  was  past  7  o'clock  in  tho  evening  when  tho  stranger  took  in 
his  studding-sails,  hauled  up  his  courses,  and  came  by  the 
wind  on  the  starboard  tack.  He  now  set  an  ensign  at  his  gati*, 
but  it  was  too  dark  to  discover  the  nation.  As  he  came  to  the 
wind,  he  necessarily  showed  his  broadside,  and  was  taken  for 
a  small  frigate* 

The  President  continuing  to  stand  down,  the  chase  wore 
four  several  times,  in  order  to  prevent  the  American  frigate 
from  getting  a  position  to  windward.  It  was  consequently 
near  half- past  8  before  Commodore  Rodgers  could  bring-to,  as 
he  had  desired,  on  the  weather-bow  of  the  stranger,  or  a  little 
forward  of  his  beam  ;  when,  being  within  a  hundred  yards,  he 
hailed,  and  demanded  "  what  ship  is  that  ?"  No  answer  was 
given  to  this  question ;  but  it  was  repeated,  word  for  word, 
from  the  stranger.  After  a  short  pause  the  question  was  again 
put,  when  the  stranger  fired  a  gun,  the  shot  from  which  cut 
away  a  breast-back-stay,  and  entered  the  main-mast.  Com- 
modore Rodgers  was  on  the  point  of  ordering  a  shot  to  be 
returned,  when  a  gun  was  discharged  from  the  second  division 
of  the  President.  The  stranger  now  fired  three  guns  in  quick 
succession,  and  after  a  short  pause,  the  remainder  of  his  broad- 
side and  all  his  musketry.  The  President,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  delivered  her  broadside  in  return.  In  a  few  minutes, 
however,  it  was  perceived  on  board  the  American  vessel,  that 
they  were  engaged  with  an  adversary  so  inferior  as  to  render 
her  resistance  very  feeble,  and  orders  were  sent  to  the  different 
divisions  to  stop  the  fire. 

The  guns  of  the  President  were  soon  silent ;  when,  to  the 
surprise  of  all  on  board  her,  the  stranger  opened  anew.  The 
fire  of  the  American  frigate  recommenced,  but  it  was  again 
stopped  in  the  course  of  a  very  few  minutes,  in  consequence 
of  the  crippled  condition  of  her  antagonist,  who  lay  nearly 


1811.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


237 


end  on,  and  apparently  unmanngoablc.  The  American  now 
hailed  again,  and  got  an  answer  that  her  adversary  was  a 
British  ship  of  war,  though  the  name  was  inaudible,  on  ac- 
count of  the  wind,  which  had  increased.  Satisfied  that  hts 
late  opponent  was  disabled,  and  having  no  desire  to  ctTect  more 
than  had  already  been  accomplished,  Commodore  Rodgers 
gave  the  name  of  his  own  ship,  wore  round,  and  running  a 
short  distance  to  leeward,  he  hauled  by  the  wind  again,  with  a 
view  to  remain  nigh  the  English  vessel  during  the  night.  The 
President  kept  lights  displayed,  in  order  to  let  her  late  antago- 
nist know  her  position,  and  wore  several  times  to  remain  near 
her. 

When  the  day  dawned,  the  English  ship  was  discovered 
some  distance  to  leeward,  her  drift  in  the  night  having  been 
considerable.  The  President  bore  up  under  easy  canvass,  and 
running  down  to  her,  lowered  a  boat,  and  Mr.  Creighton,  the 
first  lieutenant,  was  sent  on  board,  with  an  offer  of  services. 
The  stranger  proved  to  be  his  Britannic  majesty's  ship  Little 
ielt  18,  Captain  Bingham.  The  Little  Belt  was  a  vessel  of 
twenty-two  guns,  but  having  a  light  spar-deck  above,  on  which 
no  guns  were  mounted,  she  had  the  external  appearance  of  a 
small  frigate.  She  had  suffered  severely  by  the  fire  of  the 
President,  and  thirty-one  of  her  people  had  been  killed  and 
wounded.  As  Captain  Bingham  declined  receiving  any  assist- 
ance, the  vessels  parted,  each  making  the  best  of  her  way  to  a 
port  of  her  own  nation. 

This  occurrence  gave  rise  to  much  angry  discussion  in  Ame- 
rica, and  widened  the  breach  which  already  existed  between 
the  English  and  the  American  nations.  The  account  given 
by  Captain  Bingham  differed  essentially  from  that  of  Commo- 
dore Rodgers,  and  official  investigations  were  made  on  both 
sides.  On  that  of  the  Americans  a  formal  court  of  inquiry 
was  held,  and  every  sea-officer  in  the  ship  was  examined,  as 
well  as  a  great  many  of  the  petty  officers.  The  testimony 
was  very  clear,  and  it  was  in  a  great  measure  free  from  the 
discrepancies  that  usually  distinguish  the  accounts  of  battles, 
whether  by  sea  or  lartd.  The  fact  that  the  Little  Belt  fired 
the  first  gun  was  established  by  the  oath  of  the  officer  who 
ordered  the  gun  fired  in  return.  This  gentleman  distinctly 
testified  that  he  gave  the  command,  under  a  standing  order  of 
the  ship,  and  in  consequence  of  having  seen  the  flash  and 
heard  the  report  oi'  the  Little  Belt's  gun.  He  not  only  testi- 
fied that  he  heard  the  report  of  the  gun,  but  that  he  also  heard 


'JUH 


N  A  V  A  I.      II  I  MTU  II  V. 


IHII. 


OtliiTI'M    linil     IMl<n    ('OVI'i>lHII'Ml«<tl     lIlIM    llt'i'itlllll,   Mini   III  II    \MI  V    tO 

n<niti<r  iIumi'  t<\iilnir<<  iiol  niily  cuiixinIciiI  willi  il'it'H,  liiil  willi 
|th<lH«liilit\ .  Am  iIu>  I'ii'nkIi'iiI  wiin  v«»ry  M\\  n|l\i'i"r»'il,  ilin 
iuiiuIh'I'  mill  n'N|t(>i<tiiliilily  ol'  llio  wilitnMMOM,  |iiil  iil  i'*"*!  nil  cii* 
villinu:  iiluiiil  ilii<  riii'iN. 

It  in  Im<Iii<vi<i|  Ihiil  iIkmii  won  int  |)i'n|MM'  I'liiirl  nl' iiii|iiii'V  Im'IiI 
oil  llitM-oiitliirl  III'  ('ii|iliiii)  llill^lllllll,  lh))ii|(|i  ti!)i*liivilN  III'  tiiiiMl 
of  Ills  olIiiMirM  \M<n<  piililiNiinl.  My  llinl  ui<iitli>iiiiiti'N  nlliritil 
iioroiiul,  UN  il  litiM  Ihmmi  ^ivrit  (•>  tlii<  wnrlil,  iin  ni'll  iin  liy  IIm< 
KlIitltivitM  lui'iilintirii,  il  \H  al)inni<il  timl  llii<  |*t-«<Mi(li'iil  iMtiunH'iii'iMl 
tlio  iiiMioii  h\  lirin^,  iidI  a  Nlll^ll>  i^iiit,  litil  iwi  nilirn  ImhiiiIniiIi'. 
Il«>  hIno  iiiliniiilivl  ilttil  llio  iii'lioii  IiinIciI  tliri'o  i|iiiu'li<rN  nl' nil 
Itoiif,  titiil  M|i|H>iii<t<il  licNii'iiiiN  ot'l«<itviiiK  llii<  iiii|iri<NNii)ii  lliiil  Mm 
I'n'Midrul  liml  nIhtiimI  oil". 

As  lH>l\vt'»'ii  tlu>  two  ^itvrruiut'iilM,  Ili(<  i|U«>Ntiiiii  wnn  itMliiCfil  In 
ono  of  vi'ViuMiy.  irtluMUvounl  ol'llip  AniPiii'iiii  oHirci'  wmnIiiic, 
tlwtl  of  tlii<  l''.iimlKli  olliri'i-  u'liN  iiiitnii< ;  iiiiil  il'  tin*  iii'i'iiiinl  mI'  llii< 
I'liigliHli  olI'uMM'  vMiN  tnip,  lliiit  of  llii<  AiniM'ii'iiii  nllii'i'i'  wiiN  nil- 
lriu\  I'lUcli  f];ov«'i'iuiii<Ml  ni'imiiIiik  tliMpuNtMl  in  Iwlirvn  iiM  own 
oirn'iM',  no  poliliriil  n»nntM|iii'nn>N  IoIIowcmI  iIiIn  n'iit'niili"«<.  Tim 
rit<Mi(l«>i)t  NiHtiiiiKMl  litlln  injury,  no  roiinil  nliot,  licNiilcN  lliootin 
in  \\vv  ninin-initnt,  iinil  miotlicr  in  Imr  loiT'-nmNt,  linviii^  nliiii'k 
lior;  iuiil,  ol'  lt*M'  |H«oi>|(<,  ono  Itoy  iilonn  wiim  Nliglilly  woiuhIimI 
by  a  nuiskri-httll.  'I  Ik*  hilllo  li(>ll,on  llio  otlmr  lininl,  li'ivin^ 
Hnt)«>ix<<l  «*vrn  out  ol"  |)ro|tortion  to  llio  diNpiirily  of  Torro  |io!>v«'(<n 
tho  v«*ss«'ls,  tlio  Ainrrii'iui  m»vt'riinn«nt  wiin  HtiliNJicd  with  tlio 
pnnishiniMit  nht'iuiy  inllicli'il  on  tluMiNNiiilaulN ;  whiln  tlio  lOii- 
glisl)  ^ovci'innont  <'onlil  not  wrll  insiNt  on  rrpariitioii,  witlmut 
ii(*nuu)(lin^  that  tin*  Anirriran  liitu'tionarii'M  would  not  iK'liiwo 
lIuMi"  own  oHic«<r.  AHor  Hoin«MU)i»»inunicniionN  «m  tlio  Hul)i««cl, 
nnd  an  (*x('hanfj;o(>  <lio  ti'Htunony  that  liai.  lM<i*n  ^iv(*ll,  iiotiiiiig 
Uirthor  appears  to  |juv«i  iuvu  dono,  or  «\>iil«)inplatnd,  hy  oitlinr 
gv)vernnu»nt. 


INII  I 


N  A  V  A  I.     II  IM  ro  II  V. 


%m 


1 1'  liMM  Im<i<m  nr^MI  lliMl  lin  «>«iiiiiim|IM*iim>««,  Ih'VmIiiI  mm  \iu>tfnw'i\ 

Mlll'tlMlllMI   IhiIWI'IMI    III**    (WH    ••iMIIlllil'ff,   |illl<lW«l|    l|||t    M'ID'MlltrM 

Ih'Imi'MI  llin  |'t't'«tli|)<Ml  Mini  l<llll«  ll"ll, 

Nitl  liMiK  mIImi'  IIim  mm'I'IIiik  Im<Iwm<m  llti<«in  two  vi<nwI«,  (lift 
diillctl  MImIom  44,  iH'Mrliiif  Mm*  IiI'mmI  tiriiiiMMl  ni'  ('nmtuni\iirn 
lli'i'Mliir,  ()>ll  III  Willi  III"  lCiii-y<lii'i>  Mhtl  AImImiiIm,  lliilhli  MlilftM, 
iiir  IN)<w  V)irl«,  Mini,  witilo  IliM  rniiiMiMiiili<rM  wi<ri>  IimiIImi/,  omm 

III'   llin  PtOMMMill  III'  llin  litlllH'l'   Vr<«INI<l,  ill  I'Mri'lMtMly    l|IMIllllfl((   lllii 

iMiiyiii'il  mI'  llin  Ini'li,  Dri'il  M  ((iiM,  llM|i|iilv  Imlfi  (miiIIi'ii  vvi'Mi 
I'iMil  Mini  iliMiTi>i<l,  Mini  |ll'M|)l<^  •'niilMdMliniiK  liiiviiif^  Ih'Mi  mimiIi-^ 
lIlM  I'lii^linli  I'liiiiiiiMinli'i'  WMn  i<nliri>ly  NMllnlii'd  UimI  fin  iliiHll,  or 

IIMNMIlll,   WMKI   itlll'Mlll'll, 

lli'lwi'i'ii  lliK  n-iliirlliiM  III  |H(M,Miiil  lli'i  i'iitnrrif<M«'f<rr»M«l  ni' 
iHl'i,  M  piTiiiil  of  i'Ikvi'Ii  I'Vi'filOil  yi'hrx,  iliirinj^  wliirli  llm  fi«- 
linii  wMn  nriirri'ly  M  ilMy  wiIImmiI  niilli<riM(/  violMll'iii  nf  iln  ni<u- 
ItmI  li^^lilN,  Mill  M  niii^ln  i'rutjtU'  IimiI  Ih'im  miMmI  Io  I|ii<  ruivy  I 
Tim  Mlii|iM  1)1'  llii<  liiii<  MiillniriMi'il  in  l7IMf  wtm  I'rilirilv  mIimiu 
(liiiM'il,  mimI  iKiiwilliNlMiiiliiiijr  lliiwrilii'Ml  ri'lMliormM/' l||i< '  dtifilryi 
Mill  KXpi-rii'i  <  <»/■  fill-  iiMtil,  Mini  Mil  niMMy  yiMfn  ui'  nnitiwriml 
|irH«|ii<ri' > .  f>i<<  iiMvy,  in  wiiinn  r«w|»i'»'l«i,  wm«i  in  n  wurn**  «iih<«. 
lion  iU»m,  i»i*»  I  ilm  nmIk  oC  lint  nlii|iM  ii<  I  HIM.     Of  ilii*  llnri'^fii 

IVij/Mlf*    rclmiiKI'd    (|l    lllMl    liflll',  III*'    l'l(ilMll'l|»lliM     MM,    Imm|    h'4'H 

Uiiif*  »n<i  (|i«Mln»yii(|,  nnil  llin  N«'W  V'»rl<  MO,  Ui'ni'rMi  (ir*''<n 
UN,  •»ni|  Mimlnri  VH,  IdhI  ^ikih  Ut  iliii'My,  williotii  ri'|>Mirfl,  'I'hUM, 
in  p«>int  oriMfl,  llinti^li  Iwi'lvK  nltifm  oClliiq  i  hoq  ii\t\iihr  on  Iho 
Iwl  ••fllir  liny,  Iml,  n'tiw  rti'liiMJIv  I'xiuli'!,  I'nr  iiny  \iriii\irii)  yur- 
pnmrm.  Tliii  viiriour  v^^t^^l^^  of  inl'iTinr  Vitrif,  i|i«»  Imivi)  Sttyi'.n 
jilri'Mily  rrii'nlioni:'l  in  llii«  work,  mi  lofmlrm  luil  iinilir  lUWi'VUi 

l«W«,   llMll   IUMI    Mlllll'll   »0  llll!    IIMVy,  Wlliji;  IW'i  Of    lllfl'^l  U<,lh]1't' 

rnrily  lak»?n  into  llin  Wiivir^i  v/trt-i  Mir'Mily  moIiI,  A  Inw  n  ««l( 
drlKiiinnrw  IimiI  liiyn  |iuri|in«*!il.  NMvy.yMr'fn  li«/l  fii-'-n  i«»l/il>. 
liHli';i(  Ml  l'hilMilnl|»liiH,  Niw  York,  Ii'mIoo,  Wmliin(/rlon,  iUm' 
jMirt,  Mnil  I'orl«rnoijl|(,  Ihouyli  Ihny  wr'!  ilill  in  lli«  ir  nifhfuy, 
and  vi;ry  ini;orn(»liitir,  Onn  liunilnd  Mod  «t/:v«;nly  i/(in-l>'/«l«»  lirtij 
nl»o  iK-nn  liiiilf,  «nd  wnro  di<itril»»«f/;d  in  Uf  lUni'ttrtii  \niriH  of 
thf  iviiinlry, 

Whilo  the  nnvy  on  »h'r  whol«,  th':  gnn-l^mU  irxiAjif^l,  h«'l 


\ .. 


1  V 


240 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[laia. 


rather  lost  than  gained  in  physical  force,  since  the  reduction 
of  1801,  it  had  improved  immeasurably  in  discipline,  tone,  and 
in  an  esprit  de  corps.  The  little  that  had  been  lost,  in  these 
respects,  through  the  service  in  gun-boats,  was  more  than  re- 
gained by  tlie  effect  produced  by  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake, 
and  the  constant  state  of  excitement  that  prevailed  with  regard 
to  English  aggressions,  during  the  few  preceding  years.  The 
lists  of  captains,  masters-commandant,  and  lieutenants  were 
small,  but  filled  with  men  trained  to  obedience,  and,  conse- 
quently, qualified  to  command.  It  is  true,  only  one  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  revolution  remained,  at  the  head  of  the  service;  and 
he  was  nearly  superannuated  by  years  and  infirmities;  but 
those  to  whom  they  had  imparted  their  traditions  and  spirit 
had  succeeded  them.  Commodore  Samuel  Nicholson,  who 
had  been  employed  in  the  year  1776,  even,  as  commander  of 
the  Dolphin  10,  died  at  the  head  of  the  service  at  the  close  of 
the  year  1811.  The  celebrated  Preble  had  preceded  him  to 
the  grave  several  years,  and  Commodore  Murray  alone  re- 
mained of  those  officers  who  might  be  said  to  have  belonged  to 
the  old  school.  Still,  the  new  school  was  in  no  respect  infe- 
rior ;  and  in  some  particulars,  it  was  greatly  the  superior  of 
that  which  had  gone  before  it.  The  vessels,  generally,  were 
good  ships  of  their  respective  clae^es,  and  the  officers,  as  a 
body,  were  every  way  worthy  to  take  charge  of  them.  Se- 
veral of  those  who  had  been  retained  as  midshipmen,  afler  the 
war  with  France,  were  already  commanders,  and  the  vessels 
beneath  the  rate  of  frigates,  with  one  exception,  were  com- 
manded by  gentlemen  of  this  description.  The  exception  was 
in  the  case  of  the  Wasp  18,  on  board  which  ship  was  Captain 
Jones,  who  had  been  the  youngest  of  the  lieutenants  retained 
in  1801,  and  who  was  now  nearly  the  oldest  master-command- 
ant.   He  had  joined  the  service,  however,  as  a  midshipman. 

If  the  naval  armaments  made  by  the  country,  under  the 
prospect  cf  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  are  to  be  regarded  with 
the  eyes  of  prudence,  little  more  can  be  said,  than  io  express 
astonishment  at  the  political  infatuation  which  permitted  the 
day  of  preparation  to  pass  unheeded.  Still  a  little  was  done, 
and  that  little  it  is  our  duty  to  record. 

Early  in  1809,  the  marine  corps  was  augmented  by  an 
addition  of  near  700  men,  which  probably  put  this  important 
branch  of  the  navy,  on  a  footing  equal  to  the  rest  of  the  ser- 
vice, as  it  then  existed ;  the  entire  corps  containing  about  1300 
men  when  full.    On  the  30th  of  March,  1812,  or  less  than 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTQUY. 


241 


three  months  previously  to  the  war  with  England,  Congress 
authorised  the  President  to  cause  three  additional  frigates  to  be 
put  in  service,  and  the  sum  of  $200,000  annually  was  appro- 
priated  for  the  purchase  of  timber  to  rebuild  the  three  frigates 
that  had  been  permitted  to  decay,  and  the  one  that  had  been 
captured. 

When  the  amount  of  these  appropriations  is  considered,  the 
conclusion  would  seem  inevitable,  that  the  government  did  not 
at  all  anticipate  hostilities,  were  it  not  for  the  mere  ample  pre- 
parations that  were  making  on  land,  and  the  large  sums  that 
had  been  expended  on  gun-boats.  It  is  not  improbable,  there- 
fore, that  those  to  whom  the  direction  of  affairs  was  confided, 
believed  the  naval  force  of  the  country  too  insignificant,  and 
that  of  Great  Britain  too  overwhelming,  to  render  any  serious 
efforts  to  create  a  marine,  at  that  late  hour,  expedient.  A  com- 
parison of  the  naval  forces  of  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States,  with  their  respective  conditions,  will  render  this  idea 
plausible,  although  it  may  not  fully  justify  it,  as  a  measure  of 
policy. 

In  1812,  the  navy  of  Great  Britain  nominally  contained 
a  thousand  and  sixty  sail,  of  which  between  seven  and  eight 
hundred  were  efficient  cruising  vessels.  France  had  no  fleets 
to  occupy  this  great  marine,  Spain  was  detached  from  the  alli- 
ance against  England,  the  north  of  Europe  no  longer  required 
a  force  to  watch  it,  and  Great  Britain  might  direct  towards 
the  American  coast,  as  many  ships  as  the  nature  of  the  war 
could  possibly  demand. 

As  opposed  to  this  unexampled  naval  power,  America  had 
on  her  list  the  following  vessels,  exclusively  of  gun-boats,  viz: 


Constitution 44, 

President 44, 

United  States ......  44, 

Congress 38, 

Constellation 38, 

Chesapeake 38, 

New  York 36, 

Essex 32, 

Adams 28, 

Boston 28, 


John  Adams 28, 

Wasp 18, 

Hornet 18, 

Argus 16, 

Siren 16, 

Oneida 16, 

Vixen 14, 

Nautilus 14, 

Enterprise 14, 

Viper 12. 


Of  these  vessels,  the  New  York  36,  and  Boston  28,  were 
unsea worthy,  and  the  Oneida  16,  was  on  Lake  Ontario.     The 
remainder  were  efficient  for  their  rates ;  though  the  Adams 
21 


■   r  ■  ■■* 


242 


NAV^AL    HISTORY. 


[1613. 


required  extensive  repairs  before  she  could  bo  sent  to  sea.  It 
follows  that  America  was  alxiut  to  engage  in  a  war  with  much 
the  greatest  maritime  power  that  the  world  ever  saw,  possessing 
herself  but  seventeen  cruising  vessels  on  the  ocean,  of  which 
nine  were  of  a  class  less  than  that  of  frigates.  At  this  timo 
the  merchant  vessels  of  the  United  States  were  spread  over  the 
face  of  the  entire  globe.  No  other  instance  can  bo  found  of  so 
great  a  stake  in  shipping  with  a  protection  so  utterly  inade- 
quate. 

There  can  bo  but  one  manner  of  accounting  for  this  extra- 
ordinary state  of  things ;  that  already  mentioned  of  the  belief 
of  the  impossibility  of  keeping  vessels  at  sea,  in  face  of  the 
overwhelming  force  of  Great  Britain.  It  is  in  corroboration 
of  this  opinion,  that  a  project  was  entertained  by  the  cabinet  of 
laying  up  all  the  vessels  in  ordinary,  with  a  view  to  prevent  them 
from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  This  step  would 
have  btien  a  death-blow  to  the  navy,  since  the  people  would  have 
been  perfectly  justifiable  in  refusing  to  support  a  marine,  that 
was  intended  solely  for  peace.  It  is  now  understood  that  this 
resolution  was  only  prevented  by  the  interference  of  two  olTi- 
cers  of  the  service,  who  happened  to  be  at  the  seat  ol'  govern- 
ment when  the  subject  was  under  discussion.  Those  gentle- 
men* are  said  to  have  made  a  vigorous  written  remonstrance 
against  the  scheme,  and  by  means  of  their  representations  to 
have  induced  the  cabinet  to  change  its  policy. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  intention  just  stated, 
would  have  been  indicative  of  great  feebleness  of  action,  and 
of  a  narrowness  of  views,  that  was  entirely  unsuitcd  to  the 
characters  of  statesmen.  But  the  circumstances  were  extra- 
ordinary. Not  only  was  the  fnarino  of  Great  Britain  much 
the  most  powerful  of  any  in  the  world,  but  it  was  more  pow- 

*  Captains  Bainbridgo  and  Stewart.  These  two  officers  were  shown 
orders  to  Commodore  Kodgers  not  to  quit  New  York,  but  to  keep  the  ves- 
sels in  port  to  form  a  part  of  its  habour  defence.  They  sought  an  inter- 
view with  the  Secretary,  who  was  influenced  by  their  representations,  and 
who  procured  for  them  an  audience  of  the  President.  Mr.  Madison  list- 
ened to  the  representations  of  the  two  captains,  with  attention,  and  ob- 
served that  the  experience  of  the  Revolution  confirmed  their  opinions. 
The  Cobinet  was  convened,  but  it  adiiered  to  its  former  advice.  Captnina 
Bainbridge  and  Stewart  then  addressed  a  strong  letter  to  the  President, 
who  took  on  himself  to  change  the  plan.  It  is  said,  that  one  or  two  of 
the  cabinet  acceded  to  this  decision,  on  tlie  ground  that  tho  ships  would 
-  soon  be  taken,  and  that  tho  country  would  tlius  be  rid  of  the  cost  of  main- 
taining them,  and  at  more  liberty  to  direct  its  energies  to  the  army. 


1819.J 


N  A  V  A  li     11  I  H  r  O  11  Y . 


243 


criUI  than  tlioHn  (ifall  tlin  runt  o('('liriHl('nil()in  uiiitxtd,  In  ad* 
ditiun  lo  \\n  actual  pliyNiral  forc.r,  it  had  crctatnd  for  ilNiilCn 
momi  auxiliary  that  wan  rtcarcnly  \vhh  availahlo  in  pmrticu 
than  itN  guuH  and  ttion.  Thn  reputation  of  invincihility  wan 
very  generally  attached  to  an  lOngliNJi  nian-of'War,  and  per* 
hapH  no  people  K'tve  ICnuhuxi  morn  ample  credit  lor  every 
specieN  of  superiority,  wnether  phynieal  or  moral,  that  nIio 
claimed  lor  herMctlf,  than  thoMt!  of  the  ('nit<MllStateN  of  America. 
The  HUCceNH  of  the  JiritiHh  navy  wan  indiNputabIn,  and  aH  Cow 
Americann  then  rend  booliH,  ur  journtdH,  in  foreign  tonguoH, 
while  scarcely  a  newNpaner  ap|M!ared  without  itH  columuM  con* 
taining  Home  tribute  to  HriliHh  glory,  it  would  not  bo  eany  tu 
portray  the  extent  of  the  fejiling,  orthe  arnuinU  of  the  credulity 
that  g(!n(!rally  exiNted  on  Nuch  NubjectH. 

'J'hat  the  ollicerw  of  tjie  navy  nhoidd,  in  u  groat  dtigree,  Iwi 
superior  to  tiuH  dependent  liteling  waei  natural.  They  had  en- 
joyed rneaiiH  orcompariHon  that  were  dtinirjd  the  bulk  of  their 
!(<llow-citi/(!n}4,  and  thn  rcHultH  had  taught  them  more  confi- 
dence in  themM(!lv(!H.  They  knew  that  their  HhipM  were  at 
l(!tiHt  as  good  (IN  thoHn  of  ICngland,  that  they  Haibul  aH  fant, 
were  worked  aH  widl,  and,  in  evciry  (VNHential  on  which  a  nea* 
man  nridcN  hirriHelf',  that  Kngland  could  juHtly  claim  no  otiier 
superiority  than  that  which  might  Iw  HUppoHe(l  to  bfjiong  to  her 
greater  cxporienco  in  naval  warfare.  Against  this  od(ls,  they 
were  willing  to  contend.  Not  so  with  the  nation.  Notwith- 
standing the  best  dispositions  on  the  part  of'u  vast  majority  of 
the  American  iK'opIn,  tho  conviction  was  g«;neral  that  an 
American  vessel  of  war  would  contend  against  an  iCnglish  ves- 
sel of  war  with  very  few  chances  of  sucwiss.  Alter  making 
every  allowance  for  equality  in  all  tho  othfsr  essentials,  tho 
great  point  of  practice  was  against  tho  former,  and  the  confi* 
dence  produced  by  a  thousand  victories,  it  was  beliovod  would 
prove  more  available  than  zeal  or  courage. 

It  is  not  us  easy  to  dcscrilxj  the  f(;eling  on  the  other  side. 
Among  the  young  officers  of  tho  Itritish  navy  it  is  pretty  safe 
to  say  that  a  notion  of  overwhelming  sufKjriority  was  very 
generally  prevalent ;  but  among  the  older  nv.n  thenj  were  many 
who  had  studied  the  American  cruiscsrs  with  obsfirvant  eyes, 
and  a  few  who  still  recollected  the  war  of  the  revolution,  when 
ill-cquipfKjd,  uncoppf;red  ond  lialf-mnnned  ships,  fiad  rendered 
victory  d(!ar,  anfl,  not  unfre<puuitly,  defeat  certain.  'I'liejour- 
nals  of  Great  Britain  indulgrtd  in  that  coarse  and  imjKilitio 
abuse,  which  has  probably  done  more  towards  raising  a  hostile 


\ 


244 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y 


[1819. 


feeling  throughout  Christendom  against  their  nation,  than  any 
political  injustice,  or  political  jealousies ;  and  the  few  ships  of 
the  I  orican  navy  did  not  escape  their  sneers  and  misrepre- 
sent; .  .ons.  One  of  the  very  last  of  the  vessels  i  ley  attempted 
to  hold  up  to  the  derision  of  Europe  was  the  Constitution,  i 
frigate  that  was  termed  "  a  bunch  of  pine  boards,"  sailing 
"  under  a  bit  of  striped  bunting."  As  indecorous  as  was  this 
language,  and  as  little  worthy  as  it  might  be  to  excite  feeling, 
or  comment,  America  was  too  keenly  alive  to  English  opinion, 
to  hear  it  with  indifference,  and  the  day  was  at  hand  when  she 
exultingly  threw  back  these  terms  of  reproach,  with  taunts 
and  ridicule  almost  »s  unbecoming  as  the  gibes  that  had  pro- 
voked them. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  even  the  friends  of  the  navy  looked 
forward  to  the  conflict  with  distrust,  '"hile  the  English  felt  a 
confidence  that,  of  itself,  was  one  step  towards  victory. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Owing  to  grievances,  that  had  long  been  drawing  to  a  head, 
Congress  formally  declared  war  against  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  on  the  18th  of  June,  1812. 

At  the  moment  when  this  important  intelligence  was  made 
public,  nearly  all  of  the  little  American  marine  were  in  port, 
or  were  cruising  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  coast.  The 
Wasp  18,  Captain  Jones,  was  alone  on  foreign  service ;  and 
she  was  on  her  return  from  Europe  with  despatches. 

But  the  declaration  of  war  did  not  find  the  little  marine  of 
America  in  a  condition  to  act  in  51  combined,  intelligent,  and 
military  manner.  The  vesels  were  scattered ;  some  were  un- 
dergoing repairs,  others  were  at  a  distance ;  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  small  squadron,  every  thing  was  virtually  com- 
mitted to  the  activity,  judgment,  and  enterprise  of  the  different 
captains.  In  the  port  of  New  York,  were  collected  the  Presi- 
dent 44,  Commodore  Rodgers ;  Essex  32,  Captain  Porter ;  and 
Hornet  18,  Captain  Lawrence.  With  the  exception  of  the  Es- 
sex, which  ship  was  overhauling  her  rigging,  and  re-stowing  her 
hold,  these  vessels  were  ready  to  sail  at  an  hour's  notice.    Com- 


)• 


1812.1 


NAVAL     HISTOUY. 


245 


I 


modore,  Rodgers  in  anticipation  of  hostilities  had  dropped  into 
the  bay,  with  the  President  and  Hornet,  where  he  was  joined  by 
the  United  States  44,  Commodore  Decatur,  Congress  38,  Captain 
Smith,  and  Argus  16,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Sinclair,  all  of 
which  vessels  arrived  from  the  southward  on  the  21st  of  June. 

Information  had  been  received  of  the  sailing  of  a  large  fleet 
of  Jamaica-men,  under  protection  of  a  strong  force ;  and  as 
these  vessels  would  naturally  be  sweeping  along  the  American 
coast,  in  the  gulf  stream,  it  was  determined  to  make  a  dash 
at  this  convoy, — as  judicious  a  plan,  under  the  circumstances, 
as  could  then  have  been  adopted.  Within  an  hour  after  ho 
had  received  official  information  of  the  declaration  of  war,  to- 
gether with  his  orders.  Commodore  Rodgers  was  under  way. 

The  squadron  passed  Sandy  Hook  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
21st  of  June,  and  ran  off  south-east.  That  night  an  American 
was  spoken  that  had  seen  the  Jamaica  ships,  and  sail  was  in- 
stantly crowded  in  pursuit.  On  the  23d,  however,  at  6  A.  M., 
a  vessel  was  seen  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  which  was 
soon  made  out  to  be  an  enemy's  frigate,  and  a  general  chase 
took  place.  The  wind  was  fresh  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
day,  and,  the  enemy  standing  before  it,  the  President,  an  un- 
commonly fast  ship  off  the  wind,  soon  gained,  not  only  on  the 
stranger,  but  on  the  rest  of  the  squadron.  About  4  P.  M.,  she 
was  within  gun-shot  of  the  chase,  but  the  wind  had  unfortu- 
nately fallen,  and  the  American  ships  being  just  out  of  port, 
and  deep,  their  greater  comparative  weight,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, gave  the  enemy  an  advantage.  Perceiving  but 
very  faint  hopes  of  getting  alongside  of  the  stranger,  unless 
he  could  be  crippled.  Commodore  Rodgers  determined  to  open 
on  him  with  his  chase-guns.  With  this  view,  that  officer  went 
forward,  himself,  to  direct  the  cannonade,  and  about  half-past 
4,  the  forecastle  gun  was  discharged.  This  was  the  first  hos- 
tile shot  fired  afloat  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  gun  is  under- 
stood to  have  been  pointed  by  Commodore  Rodgers  in  person. 
The  shot  struck  the  chase  in  the  rudder-coat,  and  drove  through 
the  stern  frame  into  the  gun-room.  The  next  gun  was  fired 
from  the  first  division  below ;  it  was  pointed  and  discharged 
by  Mr.  Gamble,  the  second  lieutenant,  who  commanded  the 
battery.  The  shot  struck  the  muzzle  of  one  of  the  enemy's 
stern  chasers,  which  it  damaged.  Commodore  Rodgers  fired 
the  third  shot,  which  struck  the  stern  of  the  chase,  killed  two 
men,  badly  wounded  two  more,  and  slightly  injured  a  lieuten- 
ant and  two  otheis.  Mr.  Gamble  again  fired,  when  the  gun 
21* 


t 


246 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


bursted.  The  shot  flew  broad  ofT  on  the  President's  bow,  and 
the  explosion  killed  and  wounded  sixteen  men.  The  forecas- 
tle deck  w»\s  blown  up,  and  Commodore  Rodgers  was  thrown 
into  the  ,  breaking  a  leg  by  the  fall.  This  accident  prevent- 
ed thg  I  .!>  of  that  side  from  being  used  for  some  time.  The 
pause  enabled  the  enemy  to  open  from  four  stern  guns,  other- 
wise he  would  have  soon  been  driven  from  the  after  part  of 
his  ship.  The  fire  of  the  chase  was  spirited  and  good,  one  of 
his  shot  plunging  on  the  President's  deck,  killing  a  midship- 
man and  one  or  two  men.  The  President  shortly  after  began 
to  yaw,  with  a  view  to  shoot  away  some  of  the  chase's  spars, 
and  her  fire  soon  compelled  the  latter  to  lighten.  The  enemy 
cut  away  his  anchors,  stove  his  boats  and  threw  them  over- 
board,  and  started  fourteen  tons  of  water.  By  these  means 
he  drew  ahead,  when  about  7  o'clock  the  President  hauled  up, 
and  as  a  la^t  resort,  fired  three  broadsides,  most  of  the  shot 
of  which  fell  short. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  get  any  nearer  to  the  enemy,  with- 
out rendering  his  own  ships  inefticient  for  a  cruise,  by  lighten- 
ing, Commodore  Rodgers  ordered  the  pursuit  to  be  abandoned, 
about  midnight.  It  was  afterwards  known  that  the  vessel 
chased  was  the  Belvidera  36,  Captain  Byron,  who  gained  much 
credit  for  the  active  manner  in  which  he  saved  his  ship.  The 
Belvidera  got  into  Halifax  a  few  days  later,  carrying  with  her 
the  news  of  the  declaration  of  war.  The  President  had  twenty- 
two  men  killed  and  wounded  on  this  occasion,  sixteen  of  whom 
suffered  by  the  bursting  of  the  gun.  Among  the  former  was 
the  midshipman  mentioned ;  and  among  the  latter  Mr.  Gam- 
ble. The  loss  of  the  Belvidera  was  stated  at  seven  killed  and 
wounded  by  shot,  and  several  others  by  accidents.  Captain 
Byron  included.  She  also  suffered  materially  in  her  spars, 
sails,  and  rigging ;  while  the  injuries  of  this  nature,  received 
by  the  President,  were  not  serious. 

The  sqn  idron  now  hauled  up  to  its  course,  in  pursuit  of  the 
Jamaica-ij  .en  ;  and,  fr6m  time  to  time,  intelligence  was  obtain- 
ed from  American  vessels,  of  the  course  the  fleet  was  steering. 
On  the  1st  of  July,  the  pursuing  ships  fell  in  with  large  quan- 
tities of  cocoa-nut  shells,  orange-peels,  &c.  &c.,  which  gave 
an  assurance  that  they  had  struck  the  wake  of  the  English- 
men. This  was  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  the  Banks  of  New- 
foundland, and  the  strongest  hopes  were  entertained  of  coming 
up  with  the  fleet  before  it  could  reach  the  channel.  On  the 
9th  of  July,  an  English  letter  of  marque  was  captured  by  the 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


247 


Hornet,  Captain  Lawrence,  and  her  master  reported  that  he 
had  seen  the  Jamaica  vcsi^els  the  previous  evening,  under  the 
convoy  of  a  two-deckod  ship,  a  frigate,  a  sloop  of  war,  and  a 
brig.  He  had  counted  eighty-nve  sail.  All  possible  means 
were  now  used  to  force  the  squadron  ahead,  but  without  sue* 
cess,  no  further  information  having  been  received  of  the  fleet. 
The  chase  was  continued  until  the  Idth,  when,  being  within  a 
day's  run  of  the  chops  of  the  channel,  Commodore  Rodgero 
stood  to  the  southward,  passing  Madeira,  and  going  into  Bos- 
ton by  the  way  of  the  Western  Islands  and  the  Grand  Banks. 

This  cruise  was  singularly  unfortunate,  for  such  a  moment, 
although  the  ships  were  kept  in  the  direct  tracks  of  vessels  in 
crossing  the  ocean,  each  time.  Seven  merchantmen  were 
taken,  however,  and  one  American  was  recaptured.  The 
squadron  was  absent  on  this  service  seventy  days. 

The  report  of  the  Belvidera  induced  the  enemy  to  collect 
as  many  of  his  vessels  in  squadron  as  possible ;  and  a  force 
consisting  of  the  Africa  64,  Captain  Bastard ;  Shannon  38, 
Captain  Broke ;  Guerriere  38,  Captain  Dacres ;  Belvidera  36, 
Captain  Byron ;  and  ;Eolus  38,  Captain  Lord  James  Town- 
send,  was  soon  united,  in  the  hope  of  falling  in  with  Commo- 
dore Rodgers.  Of  this  squadron.  Captain  Broke,  of  the  Shan- 
non, was  the  senior  officer.  It  appeared  off  New  York  early 
in  July,  where  it  made  several  captures.  The  Nautilus  14, 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Crane,  arrived  in  the  port  of  N^w 
York  shortly  after  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Rodgers  h-..d 
sailed ;  and  this  little  brig  went  out  with  an  intention  of  cruis- 
ing in  the  track  of  the  English  Indiamen,  at  the  unfortunate 
moment  when  Commodore  Broke  appeared  off  the  coast.  The 
Nautilus  got  to  sea  quite  early  in  July,  and  fell  in  with  the 
British  squadron  the  next  day.  A  short,  but  vigorous  chase 
succeeded,  in  which  Mr.  Crane  threw  overboard  his  lee-guns, 
and  did  all  that  a  seaman  could  devise  to  escape ;  but  the  Nau- 
tilus buried,  while  the  frigates  of  the  enemy  were  enabled  to 
carry  every  thing  to  advantage,  and  he  struck  to  the  Shannon. 
The  Nautilus  was  the  first  vessel  of  war  taken  on  either  side, 
in  this  contest ;  and  thus  the  service  lost  one  of  those  cruisers, 
which  had  become  endeared  to  it,  and  identified  with  its  his- 
tory, in  connexion  with  the  war  before  Tripoli.  The  enemy 
took  out  the  officers  and  people  of  their  prize,  threw  a  crew 
into  her,  and  continued  to  cruise  in  the  hope  of  meeting  the 
American  ships. 

On  her  return  from  a  recent  run  to  Europe,  the  Constitution 


248 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1819. 


44,  Captain  Hull,  had  gone  into  the  Chesapeake.  Here  she 
shipped  a  new  crew,  and  on  the  12th  of  July  she  sailed  from 
Annapolis,  and  stood  to  the  northward.  So  rapidly  had  her 
equipment  been  effected,  that  her  first  lieutenant  joined  her 
only  a  fortnight  before  she  Hailed,  and  a  draft  of  a  hundred 
men  was  received  oh  the  evening  of  the  11th.  Friday,  July 
the  17th,  the  ship  was  out  of  sight  of  land,  though  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  coast,  with  a  light  breeze  from  the  N.  E., 
and  under  easy  canvass.  At  1,  she  sounded  in  23  fathoms; 
and  about  an  hour  afterwards,  four  sail  were  made  in  the 
northern  board,  heading  to  the  wei.  ward.  At  3,  the  Constitu- 
tion made  sail,  and  tacked  in  18^  fathoms.  At  4,  she  disco- 
vered a  fifth  sail  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  which  had 
the  appearance  of  a  vessel  of  war.  This  ship  subsequently 
proved  to  be  the  Guerriere  38,  Captain  Dacres.  By  this  time, 
the  other  four  sail  were  made  out  to  be  three  ships  and  a  brig ; 
they  bore  N.  N.  W.,  and  were  all  on  the  starboard  tack,  ap- 
parently in  company.  The  wind  now  became  very  light,  and 
the  Constitution  hauled  up  her  main-sail.  The  ship  in  the 
•eastern  board,  however,  had  so  far  altered  her  position  by  6, 
as  to  bear  E.  N.  E.,  the  wind  having  hitherto  been  fair  for  her 
to  close.  But  at  a  quarter  past  6,  the  wind  came  out  light  at 
the  southward,  bringing  the  American  ship  to  windward.  The 
Constitution  now  wore  round  with  her  head  tc-  the  eastward, 
set  her  light  studding-sails  and  stay-sails,  and  at  half  past  7, 
beat  to  quarters,  and  cleared  for  action,  with  the  intention  of 
speaking  the  nearest  vessel. 

The  wind  continued  very  light  at  the  southward,  and  the 
two  vessels  were  slowly  closing  until  8.  At  10,  the  Constitu- 
tion shortened  sail,  and  immediately  after  she  showed  the  pri- 
vate signal  of  the  day.  After  keeping  the  lights  aloft  near  an 
hour,  and  getting  no  answer  from  the  Guerriere,  the  Constitu- 
tion, at  a  quarter  past  11,  lowered  the  signal,  and  made  sail 
again,  hauling  aboard  her  starboard  tacks.  During  the  whole 
of  the  middle  watch  the  wind  was  very  light,  from  the  south- 
ward and  westward.  Just  as  the  morning  watch  was  called, 
the  Guerriere  tacked,  then  wore  entirely  round,  threw  a  rocket, 
and  fired  two  guns.  As  the  day  opened,  three  sail  were  dis- 
covered on  the  starboard  quarter  of  the  Constitution,  and  three 
more  astern.     At  5  A.  M.,  a  fourth  vessel  was  seen  astern. 

This  was  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Broke,  which  had 
been  gradually  closing  with  the  American  frigate  during  the 
night,  and  was  now  just  out  of  gun-shot.    As  the  ships  slowly 


/ 

• 

I 

lbl3.] 

NAVAL 

HISTORY. 

249 

varied  their  positions,  when  the  mists  were  entirely  cleared 
away,  the  Constitution  had  two  frigates  on  her  ieo  quarter,  and 

t 


a  ship  of  the  line,  two  frigates,  a  brig  and  a  schooner  astern. 
The  names  of  the  enemy's  ships  have  already  been  given ; 
but  the  brig  was  the  Nautilus,  and  the  schooner  another  prize. 
All  the  strangers  had  English  colours  flying. 

It  now  fell  quite  calm,  and  the  Constitution  hoisted  out  her 
boats,  and  sent  thorn  ahead  to  tow,  with  a  view  to  keep  the 
ship  out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot.  At  the  same  time, 
she  whipt  up  one  of  the  gun -deck  guns  to  the  spar-deck,  and 
run  it  out  afl,  as  a  stern-chaser,  getting  a  long  eighteen  off  the 
'  forecastle  also  for  a  similar  purpose.  Two  more  of  the 
twenty-fours  below  were  run  out  at  the  cabin  windows,  with 
the  same  object,  though  it  was  found  necessary  to  cut  away 
some  of  the  wood-work  of  the  stern  frame,  in  order  to  make 
room. 

By  6  o'clock  the  wind,  which  continued  very  light  and 
baffling,  came  out  from  the  northward  of  west,  when  the  ship's 
head  was  got  round  to  the  southward,  and  all  the  light  canvass 
that  would  draw  was  set.  Soon  after,  the  nearest  frigate,  the 
Shannon,  opened  with  her  bow  guns,  and  continued  firing  for 
about  ten  minutes ;  but  perceiving  she  could  not  reach  the  Con- 
stitution, she  ceased.  At  half  past  6,  Captain  Hull  sounded 
in  26  fathoms,  when  finding  that  the  enemy  was  likely  to 
close,  as  he  was  enabled  to  put  the  boats  of  two  sliips  oi?  one, 
and  was  also  favoured  by  a  little  more  air  than  the  Con&titu- 
tion,  all  the  spare  rope  that  could  be  found,  and  which  was  At 
for  the  purpose,  was  payed  down  into  the  cutters,  bent  on,  and 
a  kedge  was  run  out  near  half  a  mile  ahead,  and  let  go.  At 
a  signal  given,  the  crew  clapped  on,  and  walked  away  with  the 
ship,  overrunning  and  tripping  the  kedge  as  she  came  up  with 
the  end  of  the  line.  While  this  was  doing,  fresh  lines  and  an- 
other kedge  were  carried  ahead,  and,  though  out  of  sight  of 
land,  the  frigate  glided  away  from  her  pursuers,  before  they 
discovered  the  manner  in  which  it  was  done.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  the  enemy  resorted  to  the  same  expedient. 
At  half  past  7,  the  Constitution  had  a  little  air,  when  she  set 
her  ensign,  and  fired  a  shot  at  the  Shannon,  the  nearest  ship 
astern.  At  8,  it  fell  calm  again,  and  further  recourse  was  had 
to  the  boats  and  the  kedges,  the  enemy's  vessels  having  a  light 
air,  and  drawing  ahead,  towing,  sweeping,  and  kedging.  By 
9,  the  nearest  frigate,  the  Shannon,  on  which  the  English  had 
put  most  of  their  boats,  was  closing  fast,  and  there  was  every 


-frfirr 


250 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1812. 


prospect,  notwithslanditi  ;  the  steadiness  and  activity  of  the 
Constitution's  people,  that  the  frigate  just  mentioned  would  get 
near  enough  to  cripple  her,  when  her  captur*^  by  the  rest  of 
the  squadron  would  be  inevitable.  At  this  trying  moment  the 
best  spirit  prevailed  in  the  ship.  Every  thing  was  stoppered, 
and  Captain  Hull  was  not  without  hopes,  even  should  he  bo 
forced  into  action,  of  throwing  the  Shannon  astern  by  his  fire, 
and  of  maintaining  his  distance  from  the  other  vessels.  It 
was  known  that  the  enemy  could  not  to»v  very  near,  as  it 
would  have  been  easy  to  sink  his  boats  with  the  stern  guns  of 
the  Constitution,  and  not  a  man  in  the  latter  vessel  showed  a 
disposition  (o  despondency.  Officers  and  men  relieved  each 
other  regularly  at  the  duty,  and  while  the  former  threw  them- 
selves down  on  deck  to  catch  short  naps,  the  people  slept  at 
their  guns. 

This  was  one  of  the  most  critical  moments  of  the  chase. 
The  Shannon  was  fast  closing,  as  has  been  just  stated,  while 
the  Guerriere  was  almost  as  near  on  the  larboard  quarter. 
An  hour  promised  to  bring  the  struggle  to  an  issue,  when  sud- 
denly, at  9  minutes  past  9,  a  light  air  from  the  southward 
struck  the  ship,  bringing  her  to  windward.  The  beautiful 
manner  in  which  this  advantage  was  improved,  excited  admi- 
ration even  in  the  enemy.  As  the  breeze  was  seen  coming, 
the  ship's  sails  were  trimmed,  and  as  soon  as  she  was  under 
command,  she  was  brought  close  up  to  the  wind,  on  the  lar- 
board tack ;  the  boats  were  all  dropped  in  alongside ;  those 
that  belonged  to  the  davits  were  run  up,  while  the  others  were 
just  lifted  clear  of  the  water,  by  purchases  on  the  spare  out- 
board spars,  where  they  were  in  readiness  to  be  used  at  a  mo- 
ment's notice.  As  the  ship  came  by  the  wind,  she  brought 
the  Guerriere  nearly  on  her  lee  beam,  when  that  frigate  opened 
a  fire  from  her  broadside.  While  the  shot  of  this  vessel  were 
just  falling  short  of  them,  the  people  of  the  Constitution  w°re 
hoisting  up  their  boats  with  as  much  steadiness  as  if  the  di  ,y 
was  performing  in  a  friendly  port.  In  about  an  hour,  how- 
ever, it  fell  nearly  calm  again,  when  Captain  Hull  ordered  a 
quantity  of  the  water  started,  to  lighten  the  ship.  More  than 
two  thousand  gallons  were  pumped  out,  and  the  boats  were 
sent  ahead  again  to  tow.  The  enemy  now  put  nearly  all  his 
boats  on  the  Shannon,  the  nearest  ship  astern  ;  and  a  few 
hours  of  prodigious  exertion  followed,  the  people  of  the  Con- 
stitution being  compelled  to  supply  the  place  of  numbers  by 
their  activity  and  zeal.     The  ships  were  close  by  the  wind, 


,. ,. 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


351 


anr^  every  thing  that  would  draw  was  set,  and  the  Shannon 
was  slowly,  but  steadily,  forging  ahead.  About  noon  of  this 
day,  there  was  a  little  relaxation  from  labour,  owing  to  the  oc> 
casioiial  occurrence  of  cat's-paws,  by  watching  which  closely, 
the  ship  was  urged  th^-ough  the  water.  But  at  quarter  past 
12,  the  boats  were  again  sent  ahead,  and  the  toilsome  work 
of  towing  und  kcdging  was  renewed. 

At  1  aclock  a  strange  sail  was  discovered  nearly  to  lee- 
ward. At  this  moment  the  four  frigates  of  the  enemy  were 
about  one  point  on  the  lee-quarter  of  the  Constitution,  at  long 
gun-shot,  the  Africa  and  the  two  prizes  being  on  the  lee-beam. 
As  the  wind  was  constantly  baffling,  any  moment  might  have 
brought  a  change,  and  placed  the  enemy  to  windward.  At 
seven  minutes  before  two,  the  Belvidcra,  then  the  nearest  ship, 
began  to  fire  with  hor  bow  guns,  and  the  Constitution  opened 
with  her  stern  chasers.  On  board  the  latter  ship,  however,  it 
was  soon  found  to  be  dangerous  to  use  the  main-deck  guns, 
the  transoms  having  so  much  rake,  the  windows  being  so  high, 
and  the  guns  so  short,  that  every  explosion  lifted  the  upper 
deck,  and  threatened  to  blow  out  the  stern  frame.  Perceiving, 
moreover,  that  his  shot  did  little  or  no  execution.  Captain  Hull 
ordered  the  firing  to  cease  at  half-past  2. 

For  several  hours,  the  enemy's  frigates  were  now  within 
gun-shot,  sometimes  towing  and  kedging,  and  at  others  en- 
deavouring to  close  with  the  puffs  of  air  that  occasionally 
passed.  At  7  in  the  evening,  the  boats  of  the  Constitution  were 
again  ahead,  the  ship  steering  S.  W.  ^  W.,  with  an  air  so  light 
as  to  be  almost  imperceptible.  At  half  past  7,  she  sounded  in 
24  fathoms.  For  hours,  the  same  toilsome  duty  was  going  on, 
until  a  little  before  11,  when  a  light  air  from  the  southward 
struck  the  ship,  and  the  sails  for  the  first  time  in  many  weary 
hours  were  asleep.  The  boats  instantly  dropped  alongside, 
hooked  on,  and  were  all  run  up,  with  the  exception  of  the  first 
cutter.  The  topgallant  studding-sails  and  stay-sails  were  set 
as  soon  is  possible,  and  for  about  an  hour,  the  ueople  caught 
a  little  rest. 

But  at  midnight  it  fell  nearly  calm  again ;  though  neither  the 
pursuers  nor  the  pursued  had  recourse  to  the  boats,  probably 
from  an  unwillingness  to  disturb  their  crews.  At  2  A.  M.j  it 
was  observed  on  board  the  Constitution  that  the  Guerriere  had 
forged  ahead,  and  was  again  oflf  their  lee-beam.  At  this  time, 
the  top-gallant  studding-sails  were  taken  in. 

In  this  manner  passed  the  night,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 


--J-—\^ 


'^r^'    iiiiiiiiw  ,iii^j)i<r>^iiwr     I  111 


252 


NAVAL    II  I  8  T  O  11  Y 


[1812. 


next  day,  it  was  found  thut  three  of  the  enemy's  frigates  were 
within  long  gun-shot  on  the  Ico-quartcr,  and  the  other  ut  about 
the  sumo  distance  on  the  lce-l>enm.  The  Africa,  and  the 
prizes,  were  much  further  to  leeward. 

A  little  after  daylight,  the  Guerrierc,  having  drawn  ahead 
sufHciently  to  be  forward  of  the  Constitution's  beam,  tacked, 
when  the  latter  ship  did  the  same,  in  order  to  preserve  her  po- 
sition to  windward.  An  hour  later  the  iEolus  passed  on  the 
contrary  tack,  so  near  that  it  was  thought  by  some  who  ob- 
served the  movement,  that  she  ought  to  have  ojxjned  her  fire ; 
but,  as  that  vessel  was  merely  a  twelve-pounder  frigate,  and 
she  was  still  at  a  considerable  distance,  it  is  quite  probable  her 
commander  acted  judiciously.  By  this  time,  there  was  sulK- 
cicnt  wind  to  induce  Captain  Hull  to  hoist  in  his  first  cutter. 

The  scene,  on  the  morning  of  this  day,  was  very  beautiful, 
and  of  great  interest  to  the  lovers  of  nautical  exhibitions.  The 
weather  was  mild  and  lovely,  the  sea  smooth  as  a  pond,  and 
there  was  quite  wind  enough  to  remove  the  necessity  of  any 
of  the  extraordinary  means  of  getting  ahead,  that  had  been  so 
freely  used  during  the  previous  eight-and-forty  hours.  All  the 
English  vessels  had  got  on  the  same  tack  with  the  Constitution 
again,  and  the  five  frigates  were  clouds  of  canvass,  from  their 
trucks  to  the  water.  Including  the  American  ship,  eleven  sail 
were  in  sight,  and  shortly  after  a  twelfth  appeared  to  wind- 
ward, that  was  soon  ascertained  to  be  an  American  merchant- 
man. But  the  enemy  were  too  intent  on  the  Constitution  to 
regard  any  thing  else,  and  though  it  would  have  been  easy  to 
capture  the  ships  to  leeward,  no  attention  appears  to  have  been 
paid  to  them.  With  a  view,  however,  to  deceive  the  ship  to 
windward  they  hoisted  American  colours,  when  the  Constitu- 
tion set  an  English  ensign,  by  way  of  warning  the  stranger  to 
keep  aloof. 

Until  10  o'clock  the  Constitution  was  making  every  prepara- 
tion for  carrying  sail  hard  should  it  become  necessary,  and  she 
sounded  in  25  fathoms.  At  noon  the  wind  fell  again,  though 
it  was  found  that  while  the  breeze  lasted,  she  had  gained  on 
all  of  the  enemy's  ships ;  more,  however,  on  some,  than  on 
others.  The  nearest  vessel  was  the  Belvidera,  which  was  ex- 
actly in  the  wake  of  the  Constitution,  distant  about  two  and  a 
half  miles,  bearing  W.  N.  W.  The  nearest  frigate  to  leeward, 
bore  N.  by  W.  ^  W.  distant  three  or  three  and  a  half  miles  ; 
the  two  other  frigates  were  on  the  lee-quarter,  distant  about 


™-M«,Ci'- 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


253 


five  miles  ;  and  the  Africa  was  hull  down  to  looward,  on  the 
opposite  tack. 

This  was  ii  vast  improvement  on  the  state  of  things  that  had 
existed  the  day  previous,  and  it  allowed  the  officers  and  men 
to  catch  o  little  rest,  though  no  one  lefl  the  decks.  The  lati* 
tudo  by  observation  this  dny,  was  38°  47'  N.,  and  the  longitude 
by  dead  reckoning  73°  67'  W. 

At  meridian  the  wind  began  to  blow  a  pleasant  breeze,  and 
the  sound  of  the  water  rippling  under  the  bows  of  the  vessel 
was  again  hoard.  From  this  moment  th^  noble  old  ship  slowly 
drew  ahead  of  all  her  pursuers,  the  sails  being  wat<.hed  and 
tended  in  the  best  manner  that  consummate  scpman^hip  could 
dictate,  until  4  P.  M.,  when  the  Belvidera  -vas  more  than  four 
miles  astern,  and  the  other  vessels  were  throwt<  behind  u 
the  same  proportion,  though  the  wind  had  again  got  to  be  very 
light. 

In  this  manner  both  parties  kept  pressing  c'  "ad  and  to 
windward,  as  fast  as  circumstances  would  allow,  pioriting  by 
every  change,  and  resorting  to  all  the  means  of  Lrcing  vessels 
through  the  water,  that  are  known  to  seamen.  At  a  little  be- 
fore 7,  however,  there  was  every  appearance  of  a  heavy  squall, 
accompanied  by  rain ;  when  the  Constitution  prepared  to  meet 
it  with  the  coolness  and  discretion  she  had  displayed  through* 
out  the  whole  affair.  The  people  were  stationc  I,  and  every 
thing  was  kept  fast  to  the  last  moment,  when,  just  before  the 
squall  struck  the  ship,  the  order  was  given  to  clew  up  and  clew 
down.  All  the  light  canvass  was  furled,  a  second  reef  was 
taken  in  the  mizzen-topsail,  and  the  ship  was  brought  under 
short  soil,  in  an  incredibly  little  time.  The  English  vessels, 
observing  this,  began  to  let  go  and  ^^aul  down  without  waiting 
for  the  wind,  and  when  they  were  ''i!-  in  by  the  rain,  they 
were  steering  in  different  directionti  lo  avoid  the  force  of  the 
expected  squall.  The  Constitution,  on  the  other  hand,  no 
sooner  got  its  weight,  than  she  sheeted  home  and  hoisted  her 
fore  and  main-top-gallani  sails,  and  while  the  enemy  most  pro- 
bably believed  her  to  be  >>o  ne  down  by  the  pressure  of  the 
wind,  steering  free,  she  was  flying  away  from  them,  on  an 
easy  bowline,  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots. 

In  a  little  less  than  an  hour  afler  the  squall  struck  the 
ship,  it  had  entirely  passed  to  leeward,  and  a  sight  was  again 
obtained  of  the  enemy.  The  Belvidera,  the  nearest  vessel,  had 
altered  her  bearings  in  that  short  period  two  points  more  to 
leeward,  and  she  was  a  long  way  astern.  The  next  nearest 
22 


fT 


h- 


254 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1819. 


vessel  was  still  farther  to  leeward,  and  mere  distant,  while  the 
two  remaining  frigates  were  fairly  hull  down.  The  Africa  was 
barely  visible  in  the  horizon  ! 

All  apprehensions  of  the  enemy  now  ceased,  though  sail  .vas 
carried  to  increase  the  distance,  and  to  preserve  the  weather- 
gage.  At  half-past  10,  the  wind  backed  further  to  the  south- 
ward, when  the  Constitution,  which  had  been  steering  free  for 
some  time,  took  in  her  lower  studding-sails.  At  11  the  enemy 
fired  two  guns,  and  the  nearest  ship  could  just  be  discerned. 
As  the  v/ind  baffled,  and  continued  light,  the  enemy  still  perse- 
vered in  the  chase,  but  at  daylight  the  nearest  vessel  was  hull 
down  astern  and  to  leeward.  Under  the  circumstances  it  was 
deemed  prudent  to  use  every  exertion  to  lose  sight  of  the 
English  frigates ;  and  the  wind  falling  light,  the  Constitution's 
sails  were  wet  down  from  the  skysails  to  the  courses.  The 
good  effects  of  this  care  were  soon  visible,  as  at  6  A.  M.  the 
topsails  of  the  enemy's  nearest  vessels  were  beginning  to  dip. 
At  a  quarter  past  8,  the  English  ships  all  hauled  to  the  north- 
ward and  eastward,  fully  satisfied,  by  a  trial  that  had  lasted 
nearly  three  days,  and  as  many  nights,  under  all  the  circum- 
stances that  can  attend  naval  manoeuvres,  from  reefed  top- 
sails to  kedging,  that  they  had  no  hope  of  overtaking  their 
enemy. 

Thus  terminated  a  chase,  that  has  become  historical  in  the 
American  navy,  for  its  length,  closeness,  and  activity.  On 
the  part  of  the  English,  there  were  manifested  much  perse- 
verance and  seamanship,  a  ready  imitation,  and  a  strong  desire 
to  get  alongside  of  their  enemy.  But  the  glory  of  the  affair 
w£is  carried  off  by  the  officers  and  people  of  the  Constitution. 
Throughout  all  the  trying  circumstances  of  this  arduous  strug- 
gle, this  noble  frigate,  which  had  so  lately  been  the  subject  of 
the  sneers  of  the  English  critics,  maintained  the  high  character 
of  a  man-of-war.  Even  when  pressed  upon  the  hardest,  no- 
thing was  hurried,  confused,  or  slovenly ;  but  the  utmost  steadi- 
ness, order,  and  discipline  reigned  in  the  ship.  A  cool,  dis- 
creet, and  gallant  commander,  was  nobly  sustained  by  his 
officers ;  and  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  that  had  the  enemy  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  any  one  of  their  frigates  fairly  under  the  fire 
of  the  American  ship,  that  she  would  have  been  very  roughly 
treated.  The  escape  itself,  is  not  so  much  a  matter  of  admi- 
ration, as  the  manner  in  which  it  was  effected.  A  little  water 
was  pumped  out,  it  is  true,  and  perhaps  this  was  necessary,  in 
order  to  put  a  vessel  fresh  from  port  on  a  level,  in  light  winds 


1812.] 


NAVAL    HISTO  RY 


255 


and  calms,  with  ships  that  had  been  cruising  some  time ;  but 
not  an  anchor  was  cut  away,  not  a  boat  stove,  nor  a  gun  lost. 
The  steady  and  man-of-war  like  style  in  which  the  Constitution 
took  in  all  her  boats,  as  occasions  oflered ;  the  order  and  ra- 
pidity with  which  she  kedged,  and  the  vigilant  seamanship 
with  which  she  was  braced  up  and  eased  off,  extorted  admira- 
tion among  the  more  liberal  of  her  pursuers.  In  this  affair, 
the  ship,  no  less  than  those  who  worked  her,  gained  a  high 
reputation,  if  not  with  the  world  generally,  at  least  with  those 
who,  perhaps,  as  seldom  er;  in  their  nautical  criticisms  as  any 
people  living. 

The  English  relinquished  the  pursuit  at  8  A.  M.,  and  at 
half-past  8  the  Constitution,  discovering  a  vessel  on  her  star- 
board bow,  made  sail  in  chase.  At  three-quarters  past  9 
brought  to,  and  spoke  an  American  brig.  At  10  made  sail 
again  in  chase  of  another  vessel  on  the  lee  bow,  which  also 
proved  to  be  an  American,  bound  in.  At  meridian,  hoisted  in 
the  boat  used  in  boarding,  took  a  second  reef  in  the  topsails, 
and  stood  to  the  eastward,  the  ship  going  into  Boston  near  the 
middle  of  the  same  month. 

A  few  days  after  the  chase  of  the  Constitution,  the  English 
squadron  separated,  the  Africa  returning  to  port  with  the 
prisoners  and  prizes,  and  the  frigates  shaping  their  courses  in 
different  directions,  in  the  hope  that  the  ship  which  had  avoided 
them  so  carefully  when  in  company,  might  be  less  averse  to 
meeting  either  singly. 

The  Essex  32,  Captain  Porter,  got  to  sea  from  New  York, 
not  long  after  the  departure  of  Commodore  Rogers,  and  went 
first  to  the  southward.  She  made  several  prizes  early,  destroy- 
ing most  of  them,  and  receiving  the  prisoners  on  board.  The 
weather  now  compelled  the  Essex  to  run  to  the  northward. 
When  a  few  weeks  from  port,  a  small  fleet  was  approached  at 
night,  which  was  immediately  understood  to  be  enemies.  Out 
of  this  fleet  the  Essex  succeeded  in  getting  a  ship.  On  taking 
possession  of  her  prize,  it  was  found  filled  with  soldiers,  and  so 
much  time  was  necessarily  consumed  in  securing  the  latter, 
that  the  day  dawned,  and  it  became  inexpedient  to  renew  the 
attempt  on  the  convoy.  The  frigate  was  said  to  be  the  Mi- 
nerva 30,  and  the  troops  in  tho  convoy  amounted  to  near  1000 
men.     About  150  were  taken  in  the  prize. 

A  few  days  after  this  success,  the  Essex  made  a  strange 
sail  to  windward.  At  the  moment,  the  frigate  was  disguised 
as  a  merchantman,  having  her  gun-dock  ports  in,  top-gallant 


256 


NAVAL    HIST  OR  Y. 


[1813. 


masts  housed,  and  sails  trimmed  in  a  slovenly  manner.  De- 
ceived by  these  appearances,  the  stranger  came  running  down 
free,  when  the  American  ship  showed  her  ensign  and  kept 
away,  under  short  sail.  This  emboldened  the  stranger,  who 
followed,  and  having  got  on  the  weather  quarter  of  his  chase, 
he  began  his  fire,  setting  English  colours.  The  Essex  now 
knocked  out  her  ports,  and  opened  upon  the  enemy,  who  ap- 
pears to  have  been  so  much  taken  by  surprise,  that  after  receiv- 
ing one  or  two  discharges,  his  people  deserted  their  quarters,  and 
ran  below.  In  eight  minutes  after  the  Essex  had  begun  to  fire, 
the  English  ship  struck.  On  sending  Lieutenant  Finch*  on 
board  to  take  possession,  the  prize  proved  to  bo  his  Britannic 
Majesty's  ship  Alert,  Captain  Laugharne,  mounting  20  eigh- 
teen-pound carronades,  and  with  a  full  crew.  Mr.  Finch 
found  seven  feet  of  water  in  the  Alert,  and  was  obliged  to  ware 
round,  to  keep  her  from  sinking. 

The  Alert  was  the  first  vessel  of  war  taken  from  the  English 
in  this  contest,  and  her  resistance  was  so  feeble  as  to  excite 
surprise.  It  was  not  to  be  expected,  certainly,  that  a  ship  car- 
rying eighteen-pound  carronades,  could  successfully  resist  a 
ship  carrying  thifty-two-pound  carronades,  and  double  her 
number  of  guns  and  men ;  but  so  exaggerated  had  become  the 
opinion  of  the  British  prowess  on  the  ocean,  that  impossibilities 
were  sometimes  looked  for.  As  it  is  understood  tliat  only  a 
part  of  the  Essex's  guns  bore  on  the  Alert,  the  manner  in 
which  the  latter  was  taken,  must  be  attributed  to  a  sudden 
panic  among  her  people,  some  of  whom  were  censured  after 
their  exchange.  One  or  two  of  the  officers  even,  did  not 
escape,  the  first  lieutenant  having  been  dismissed  the  service, 
by  a  court-martial.  The  Alert  had  but  three  men  wounded, 
and  the  Essex  sustained  no  injury  at  all. 

Captain  Porter,  with  the  addition  made  by  the  crew  of  the 
Alert,  had  mnny  prisoners,  and  ho  felt  the  necessity  of  getting 
rid  of  them.  He  accordingly  entered  into  an  arrangement 
with  Captain  Laugharne,  to  convert  the  Alert  into  a  cartel,  and 
to  send  her  into  St.  John's.  This  project,  so  favourable  to  the 
American  interests,  was  successfully  accomplished ;  and  it  is 
due  to  his  character  to  say,  that  the  officer  in  command  at 
Newfoundland,  Admiral  Sir  J.  T.  Duckworth,  while  he  pro- 
tested against  the  course,  as  unusual  and  injurious  to  a 
nation  like  England,  which  had  so  many  cruisers  at  sea,  by 


Now  Captain  Bolton. 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


257 


depriving  her  of  the  chances  of  recapture,  honourably  complied 
with  the  conditions  entered  into  by  his  subordinate. 

The  Essex  continued  to  cruise  to  the  southward  of  the 
Grand  Banks.  On  two  occasions,  she  fell  in  with  enemy's 
frigates,  and  at  one  time  was  so  hard  pressed,  as  to  be  reduced 
to  the  necessity  of  making  every  preparation  to  carry  one  by 
boarding  in  the  night,  since,  another  English  vessel  of  war 
being  in  company,  an  engagement  in  the  usual  manner  would 
have  been  indiscreet.  The  arrangments  made  on  board  the 
Essex,  on  this  occasion,  are  still  spoken  of  with  admiration, 
by  those  who  were  in  the  ship ;  and  there  is  great  reason  to 
think  they  would  have  succeeded,  had  the  vessels  met.  By 
some  accident,  that  has  never  been  explained,  the  ships  passed 
each  other  in  the  darkness,  and  shortly  after,  the  Essex  came 
into  the  Delaware  to  replenish  her  water  and  stores. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  Constitution  was  not  idle.  Remaining 
at  Bost-n  a  short  time  after  his  celebrated  chase.  Captain  Hull 
sailed  again  on  the  2d  of  August,  standing  along  the  land  to 
the  eastward,  in  the  hope  of  falling  in  with  some  of  the  enemy's 
cruisers,  that  were  thought  to  be  hovering  on  the  coast.  The 
ship  ran  down,  near  the  land,  as  far  as  the  Bay  of  Fundy, 
without  seeing  any  thing,  when  she  went  off  Halifax  and  Cape 
Sable,  with  the  same  want  of  success.  Captain  Hull  now  de- 
termined to  go  farther  east,  and  he  went  near  the  Isle  of 
Sables,  and  thence  to  the  mouth  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence, 
to  intercept  vessels  bound  to  Halifax  or  Quebec.  Here  two 
prizes,  of  little  value,  were  taken  and  burned.  On  the  morning 
of  the  15th,  five  sail  were  made,  one  of  which  was  a  sloop  of 
war.  The  Constitution  gave  chase,  and  the  enemy  soon  set 
one  of  his  vessels,  a  prize  brig,  on  fire.  The  chases  now  sepa- 
rated, and  the  sloop  of  war  being  to  windward,  the  Constitution 
followed  a  ship,  which  turned  out  to  be  an  Englishman,  al- 
ready a  prize  to  an  American  privateer.  This  vessel  had  been 
spoken  by  the  sloop  of  war,  but  the  appearance  of  the  Consti- 
tution prevented  her  recapture.  A  brig  was  next  chased  to 
leeward,  and  proved  to  be  an  American,  with  a  prize  crew  on 
board.  She  was  retaken,  and  sent  in.  The  remainder  of  the 
vessels  escaped. 

The  Constitution  next  stood  to  the  southward,  and  on  the 
19lh,  at  2  P.  M.,  in  lat.  41°  41',  long.  5.5°  48',  a  sail  was 
made  from  the  mast-heads,  bearing  E.  S.  E.,  and  to  leeward, 
though  the  distance  prevented  her  character  from  being  dis- 
covered. The  Constitution  immediately  made  sail  in  chase, 
22* 


X- 


•«>*«<ipiMM*fMii«iNI<*ia|<|iii 


258 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1813. 


and  at  3,  the  stranger  was  ascertained  to  be  a  ship  on  the  star* 
board  tack,  under  easy  canvass,  and  close  hauled.  Half  an 
hour  later,  she  was  '.-itinctly  made  out  to  be  a  frigate,  and  no 
doubt  was  entertained  of  her  being  an  enemy.  The  American 
ship  kept  running  Tree  intil  she  was  within  a  league  of  the 
frigate  to  leeward,  .vhta  she  began  to  shorten  sail.  By  this 
time,  the  enemy  had  laid  his  main-topsail  aback,  in  waiting  for 
the  Constitution  to  come  down,  with  every  thing  ready  to  en- 
gage. Perceiving  that  the  Englishman  sought  a  combat,  Cap- 
tain Hull  made  his  own  preparations  with  the  greater  delibera- 
tion. The  Constitution,  consequently,  furled  her  top-gallant- 
sails,  and  stowed  all  her  light  stay-sails  and  the  flying  jib. 
Soon  after,  she  took  a  second  reef  in  the  topsails,  hauled  up 
the  courses,  sent  down  royal-yards,  cleared  for  action,  and 
beat  to  quarters.  A.t  5,  the  chase  hoisted  three  English  en- 
signs, and  immediately  after  she  opened  her  fire,  at  long  gun- 
shot, waring  several  times,  to  rake  and  prevent  being  raked. 
The  Constitution  occasionally  yawed  as  she  approached,  to 
avoid  being  raked,  and  she  fired  a  few  guns  as  they  bore,  but 
her  object  was  not  to  commence  the  action  seriously,  until 
quite  close. 

At  6  o'clock,  the  enemy  bore  up,  and  ran  off  under  his  three 
topsails  and  jib,  with  the  wind  on  his  quarter.  As  this  was  an 
indication  of  a  readiness  to  receive  his  antagonist,  in  a  fair 
yard-arm  and  yard-arm  fight,  the  Constitution  immediately  set 
her  main-topgallant-sail  and  foresail,  to  get  alongside.  At  a 
little  after  6,  the  bows  of  the  American  frigate  began  to  double 
on  the  quarter  of  the  English  ship,  when  she  opened  with  her 
forward  guns,  drawing  slowly  ahead,  with  her  greater  way, 
both  vessels  keeping  up  a  close  and  heavy  fire,  as  their  guns 
bore.  In  about  ten  minutes,  or  just  as  the  ships  were  fairly 
side  by  side,  the  mizzen-mast  of  the  Englishman  was  shot 
away,  when  the  American  passed  slowly  ahead,  keeping  up  a 
tremendous  fire,  and  luffed  short  round  the  bows  of  the  enemy, 
to  prevent  being  raked.  In  executing  this  mancEuvre,  the  ship 
shot  into  the  wind,  got  sternway,  and  fell  foul  of  her  antago- 
nist. While  in  this  situation,  the  cabin  of  the  Constitution  took 
fii-e  from  the  close  explosion  of  the  forward  guns  of  the  enemy, 
who  obtained  a  small,  but  momentary  advantage  from  his  po- 
sition. The  good  conduct  of  Mr.  HofTman,  who  commanded 
in  the  cabin,  soon  repaired  this  accident,  and  a  gun  of  the  ene- 
my's that  threatened  further  injury,  was  disabled. 

As  the  vessels  touched,  both  parties  prepared  to  board.    Tho 


.'   ■  ,         yj 


18120 


NAVAL     HI8T0RY. 


259 


English  turned  all  hands  up  from  bolow,  and  mustered  furwurd 
with  that  object,  while  Mr.  Morris,  the  first  lieutenant,  with  hii 
own  hands  ondeuvoured  to  lush  the  ships  together.  Mr.  Alwyn, 
the  master,  and  Mr.  Bush,  the  lieutenant  ot  murines,  were  upon 
the  tullruil  of  the  Constitution,  to  be  ready  to  spring.  Hoth 
sides  now  suiPjred  by  the  closeness  of  the  musketry  ;  the  Kng* 
lish  much  the  most,  however.  Mr.  Morris  was  shot  through 
the  body,  the  bullet  fortunately  missing  the  vitals.  Mr.  Alwyn 
was  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and  Mr.  Hush  fell  by  u  bul- 
let through  the  hend.  It  being  found  impossible  for  either  party 
to  board,  in  the  face  of  such  a  fire,  and  with  the  heavy  8(;ii  that 
was  on,  the  sails  were  filled,  and  just  as  the  Constitution  shot 
ah(!ad,  the  foremast  of  the  enemy  foil,  carrying  down  with  it 
his  mainmast,  and  leaving  him  wallowing  in  the  trough  of  the 
sea,  a  helpless  wreck. 

The  Constitution  now  hauled  aboard  her  tucks,  ran  off  u 
short  distance,  secured  her  masts,  and  rovo  new  rigging.  At 
7,  she  wore  round,  nnd  taking  a  favourable  position  for  ruking, 
a  jack  that  hud  been  kept  flying  on  the  stump  of  the  mizzt^n- 
must  of  the  enemy,  was  lowered.  Mr.  Ceorge  Campljoll 
Read,*  the  third  lieutenant,  was  sent  on  board  the  prize,  und 
J.ho  boat  soon  returned  with  the  report  that  the  cupl  ured  vessel 
was  the  Guerricre  38,  Captain  Dacres,  one  of  the  ships  that 
hud  so  lately  chased  the  Constitution,  olTNew  York. 

The  Constitution  kept  waring  to  remain  near  her  prize,  and 
at  2  A.  M.,  a  strange  sail  was  seen  closing,  when  she  rjcared 
for  action  ;  but  at  three,  the  stranger  stood  off.  At  daylight, 
the  officer  in  charge  hailed  to  say  that  the  Guerrie.e  had  lour 
feet  water  in  her  hold,  and  that  there  was  dangor  of  her  sink- 
ing. On  receiving  this  information.  Captain  Hull  svmt  all  his 
boats  to  remove  the  prisoners.  Fortunately,  the  woathcr  was 
moderate,  and  by  noon  this  duty  was  nearly  ended.  At  3  P. 
M.,the  prize  crew  was  recalled,  having  set  the  wreck  on  fire; 
and  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  the  Gucrrierc  blow  up.  Finding 
himself  incumbered  with  wounded  prisoners,  Captain  Hull  now 
returned  to  Boston,  where  ho  arrived  on  the  30th  of  the  same 
month. 

It  is  not  easy,  at  this  distant  day,  to  convey  to  the  reader  the 
full  force  of  the  moral  impression  created  in  America  by  this 
victory  of  one  frigate  over  another.  So  deep  had  Ijeen  the  ef- 
fect produced  on  the  public  mind  by  the  constant  accounts  of 
the  successes  of  the  English  over  their  enemies  at  sea,  that  the 


Commodore  Road,  late  in  command  of  the  East  \ndta  squadron. 


m^'^ 


2C0 


NAVAL     H  1  B  T  O  11  Y . 


[mi. 


opinion  'T  their  invuu-ilnlity  on  timt  clonu'nt,  nhvmly  ii;^U" 
tionod,  jj;oiUM-ally  |>n  'i\iU)tl;  oiui  if  Imd  bcon  publi  ly  its'v'ii-iod, 
that  btiforo  the  coatt^ l  had  oontimiotl  six  iiioiuhs,  HiiliwU  n;«X)p8 
ofwnr  would  iio  nloii;,;sido  of  AiiuM'ioan  iVJi^atos  wi'.ii  <i<>tn,v'.vn- 
tivo  impunity.  I'orhups  l\\v  only  poiiicni  of  tt  ■;  Ant  -Hf^nM 
population  that  o.\poc/>il  «lilli<ri'nt  i  >^.ilts,  vis  tiiat  viiiohconj* 
posod  the  httkj  Inuly  oi'  ulUcrrs  nu  whonv  Iht'  trial  wouKI  lull, 
and  even  they  looUi  d  Ibrv.  nrd  to  thv  ;-: ;  ii^fglo  witii  a  nwmly  reso- 
lulion,  rather  than  witli  a  vf.'ry  eontitlint  liope.  Hut  ili<  termi- 
nation of  theeond»at  jiist  ivlated,  very  tar  e;\<(H.Hlt!  ( thoexpoetu' 
tions  of  l\\o  most  sanguine.  Alter  uit;kit<ti;  iil!  pmper  iillow. 
onco  iov  the  clili^renco  of  force  whirh  eeri.iiuiy  exislfd  in  ,■^■■ 
vour  oi"  the  Coustitulion,  as  well  uh  for  tiio  e,\(Mis«>H  ii.ut  thu 
defue'i^d  \nifiy  fwely  ofUnvd  to  the  world,  snen  on  l»o(h  nidrs 
of  th'.i  Ailaa.'x. ,  who  w-tu  eomptitent  to  forn*  intelligent  opin- 
ions on  s:!*;h  rtulfjectiii,  saw  the  pronuse  of  many  fulin'e  hu(% 
ce.ssoR  in  li.i- .  Tin;  dtylo  in  whiel>  the  ('ouMtiinlitui  hail  been 
hrssnlUxi ,  the  deliherate  and  yet  <!arjiest  manin  i-  in  which  hIio 
hn-'i  been  curried  into  battle;  the  extruordinarv  <  xeeiition  that 
hull  been  done  in  so  short  a  time  by  Ikm*  lin;;  the  rcjadiucsH 
and  galhuitry  with  which  who  had  cleared  for  action,  ho  soon 
after  destroying?  one  Hritish  frigate,  in  which  wjis  n<anif(!st(id  (4 
disposition  to  meet  onothor,  united  to  produce  a  dfp  eonvie- 
tioi!  of  self-reliance,  coolness,  and  skill,  that  was  of  inlinitely 
more  weight  than  the  transient  leeling  which  might  result  from 
any  accidental  triumph. 

In  this  combat,  the  C'onstitution  srifTered  a  goo<l  (\o»\  in  lii'r 
rigging  and  sails,  but  very  little  in  her  ludl.  Ilin*  loss  was 
seven  killed,  and  seven  wounded.  As  soon  us  she  had  rovo 
new  rigging,  applied  the  necessary  stoppers,  and  bent  a  few 
sails,  as  has  been  seen,  she  was  ready  to  engage  another  fri- 
gate. On  the  other  hand,  the  (Juerricre  was  eomj)l(!lely  dis- 
masted, had  seventy-nine  killed  and  wounded,  and,  according 
to  the  statement  of  her  comniander  in  his  (lefenc<>,  Ixjfon!  Iho 
court  which  tried  him  for  the  loss  of  his  ship,  she;  had  rtM-cived 
no  less  than  thirty  shot  us  low  us  five  shecas  of  eopix^r  liencuth 
the  bends!  All  this  execution  had  Ixjcn  done  l)(,'twe(;n  Iho 
time  when  the  ships  opened  their  fire  abeam,  and  the  moiiHtnt 
when  the  Ouerriere's  masts  fell ;  for  the  lew  shot  thrown  by 
the  Constitution,  previously  to  the  first  event,  were  virtually 
of  no  use,  and,  subsc(juently  to  the  last,  she  did  not  discharge 
a  gun.  The  whole  period,  between  the  time  v/lien  the  (luer- 
riere  commenced  her  fire  at  long  shot,  and  that  when  she  uc- 


J  '■ 


1«IU.J 


NAVAI.     IIIHTOilV. 


mi 


liiiilly  limilcti  ilimi)  li*<i'  jiu'lt,  Nont«tliiii|.(  lilto  Iwn  Ikuiin  wiim 
iiti'liiilnl  ill  lli(>  ttitPiuY'H  uccoiiiilN  of  \[\v  tliinilittn  ol'  lli«<  fuiiiliitl  ( 
hill  it  IN  wvW  iiiKli'i'Ntond  Ity  |)fo|i>NNi(iiiiil  ntoii,  llutt  illli'iitli  llin 
Itiittlii  WIIM  il(M'ii|t<i|  ill  ultuiit  H  (0111*111  (tl'lllltl  lilllK. 

('iiptiiiii  Diirn^N  liiNt  Ml)  pnili'MNiiiniil  i'i*|tutiitiuM  liy  liix  ildlimt. 
]\o  Iwiil  Iiiiii<ll(>(t  IliN  Niiij)  in  It  MiiiiiiKM'  to  will  llm  u|i|)Ihiimi<  oI 


his  oiiiunii'M,  fought  htu'  jtrdlliiiilly,  unit  only  Hiilinilttml  w\\vi\ 
I'lii'thri'  r«MlHtuniM«  would  hiivo  Ikhmi  mmi'ly  ini|H!/.>ithln.  lirtMn 
(Mill  hn  Niiiil  in  rnvoiir  of  tlio  olllcitMicy  of  tlm  ()ii(ti'i'lnii<'N  hiil' 
titi'ioN,  which  wi^ro  not  (t(|iiitl  to  Iho  tnotU^  of  fl^hlin^  llml  liiiii 
Ihm'ii  inti'oiliii'nil  hy  luu*  luitiif^oniNt,  mi<l  whii^li,  in  Iht^U  wmm 
llir  roinniPiuMtninnt  of  n  now  iifu  in  i^tnihiilN  JNttwiuMi  mIii^Io 

MJlijIN. 

VVo  hiivi)  iIwpIi  at  l(tn^th  on  thn  (^in'iiinNliiiK'i^N  conii'u'lnil 
with  titiH  action,  not  only  Iiccuiino  it  wiin  tho  Ili'Nt  Nci'ioi^rt  con- 
diet  ol'  tlm  will',  hut  Ihiciiiiho  it  wiin  (Oiiit'iictiu'iNtnl  hy  (imtiircM 
which,  though  novel  althn  tinio,  iHtcntnn  iilnnlilinil  wilhntuii'ly 
till  tlm  NiiliNtKiiufnt  ongn^rnicntN  of  tlm  conti^nt,  HJiowin^  thnt 
they  W(M'o  intiinittoly  c/inimrtoil  with  tho  diNci|ilinri  nnd  NyNtmti 
of  the  Anmrican  inai'itm. 

(*a|)tnin  Hull  having  iKiirot'nmd  tlm  two  liandNomn  exnloitN 
recorded,  now  gave  ii|>  tim  eoniniand  ofhin  iVi^ate,  in  ordru'  to 
allow  othet'H  an  eiinal  clianro  to  diNtinguiNJi  tlieniNolvoM,  there 
IxMng  iiniot'tnnatejy  many  inOr(<  iMtplainN  than  veNNeiN  in  thn 
navy,  at  that  trying  tnonmnt.  ('aptain  llainhridgo  wiin  natneri 
to  Imi  liiH  NticccNNor,  lioinp;  tranHfitrred  from  tlm  (lonMellation 
i)H,  then  fitting  (iir  noii  at  WaNhington,  to  Ihn  (loiiHtitiilion. 

An  (<aptain  Dainhridge  wiin  one  of  tlm  oldoNt  ollicerM  of  liiM 
rank  in  the  Nervii^s  he  waN  given  a  eotnniaiid  cririNiNting  of  IiIm 


own  Nhip,  the  I'Innox  Uil,  and  the  Iforiiet  |H.  Ho  lioiNled  IiIn 
hi'oad  pennant  on  hoard  the  (/'onrititiition,  airordiiigly,  <*n  llm 
inth  (»f  Hepternher,  at,  Uoftton.  (laptain  Htewart,  lately  re* 
turned  from  a  furlough,  wan  appointed  to  the  ('onNtelhiiion  HH, 
and  Mr.  ('liarloN  MorriN,  the  fimt  lieiit(*nant  of  the(!onNtitution, 
in  tli(!  (diiiNn  and  in  the  hattle,  wan  Nhortly  afler  promoted  tr» 
tlm  rank  of  (Mplain,  piiNNingtimNtep  rd' maNtor-commandant,  (in 
had  been  the  ca,<e  with  Connnodoro  Deeutur. 


A 


262 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1819. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

CoNOBEss  did  nothing  of  any  moment  towards  increasing 
the  navy,  on  the  ocean,  during  the  year  1812,  although  war 
was  declared  in  June.  This  neglect  of  so  important  a  branch 
of  the  public  service,  under  circumstances  that  would  seem  so 
imperiously  to  call  for  the  fostering  care  and  active  exertions 
of  the  government,  must  be  ascribed  to  the  doubts  that  still  ex- 
isted as  to  the  possiHIity  of  kee[)ing  ships  at  sea,  in  face  of  the 
British  navy.  It  had  been  customary  to  say,  that  France, 
whenever  she  put  a  ship  into  the  water,  was  merely  building 
for  her  great  enemy  ;  and  an  opinion  was  prevalent,  that  Ameri- 
ca would  be  doing  the  iame  thing,  if  sjje  wasted  her  resources 
in  creating  a  marine  ;  thus  rendering  it  literally  necessary  for 
the  accomplished  officers  who  composed  the  germ  of  the  ser- 
vice,  to  demonstrate,  from  fact  to  fact,  their  ability  to  maintain 
the  honour  of  the  country,  before  that  country  would  frankly 
confide  to  them  the  means. 

Commodore  Rodgers,  having  refitted,  sailed  on  a  second 
cruise,  leaving  the  Hornet  in  port ;  but  Commodore  Decatur, 
in  the  United  States  44,  and  the  Argus  10,  Captain  Sinclair, 
parted  company  with  him,  at  sea,  n  the  12th  of  October,  after 
cruising  some  time  without  falling  in  with  any  thing  of  im- 
portance. On  the  17th,  he  captured  the  British  packet  Swal- 
low, with  a  large  amount  of  specie  on  board,  anu  continued 
his  cruise  to  the  eastward.  In  the  mean  while,  the  United 
States  and  Argus  having  separated,  the  former  stood  more  to 
the  southward  and  eastward,  with  a  view  to  get  into  the  track 
of  the  enemy's  Indiamen.  Sunday,  October  25th,  the  United 
States,  then  in  lat.  29°  N.,  long.  29'  30'  W.,  made  a  large 
sail  to  the  southward  and  eastward.  The  stranger  was  run- 
ning down  a  little  free,  while  the  American  ship  was  on  a  wind, 
standing  towards  the  chase,  which  was  soon  ascertained  to  he 
an  enemy.  The  latter  having  come  within  a  league,  hauled  up, 
and  passed  to  windward,  when,  each  party  was  enabled  to  see 
that  it  had  a  frigate  to  oppose.  The  stranger  now  wore  and 
came  round  on  the  same  tack  as  the  United  States,  keeping 
away  sufficiently  to  get  within  reach  of  her  long  guns,  when 
she  hauled  up  on  an  easy  bowline,  with  her  mizzen-topsail 


*■■«',_!  "  I  "'"  '■  ,''-WTrir'^ 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


S263 


aback.  At  this  moment  the  distimco  between  the  two  ships 
a  little  exceeded  a  mile,  when  the  Englishman  optnicd  his  fire. 
Finding  the  enemy  on  his  \'  ilher  quarter,  Commodore  Deca- 
tur delivered  his  larboard  broadside,  wore  round,  and  came  ujr 
to  the  wind  on  the  other  tack,  heading  northerly.  It  was  ob- 
served that  all  the  carronade-shot  fell  short,  tho  enemy  doing 
very  little  injury  by  his  fire. 

Havin;^  passed  her  antagonist,  tho  United  States  delivered 
her  starboard  broadside,  and  wore  again,  bringing  her  head 
once  more  to  the  southward,  or  on  the  same  tack  as  the  ene- 
rry,  both  ships  steering  rap  full,  with  their  mis/zen-topsails 
aback,  and  kee[)ing  up  a  heavy  cannonade.  In  this  manner 
the  action  dbntinuod  about  an  hour,  the  English  vesse!  suffer- 
ing heavily,  while  her  own  fire  inflicted  very  little  injury  on 
her  antagonist.  At  length  tho  stranger's  mizzen-mast  camo 
down  over  his  lee  quarter,  having  been  shot  away  about  ten 
feet  above  tho  deck.  He  then  fell  off,  and  let  his  foresail  drop, 
apparently  with  a  wish  to  close.  As  the  ships  got  near  to- 
gether, the  shot  of  the  American  vessel  did  fearful  execution, 
the  fore-course  being  soon  in  ribands,  the  fore  and  main-top- 
masts over  the  side,  the  main-yard  cut  away,  in  the  slings,  and 
the  foremast  tottering.  The  United  States  now  filled  her  mlz- 
zen-topsail,  gathered  fresh  way,  and  tacked.  As  tho  stranger 
was  driflingdown,  nearly  before  the  wind,  and  was  almost  un- 
manageable. Commodore  Decatur  had  no  difficulty  in  heading 
up  high  enough  to  cross  his  wake,  which  he  handsomely  ef- 
fected, with  his  people  still  manning  tho  larboard  guns.  At 
the  time  the  United  States  filled  her  'nizzen-topsail,  in  prepa- 
ration for  stays,  it  is  said  chat  the  enrmy,  under  tho  impression 
she  was  about  to  run  away,  gave  three  cheers,  and  set  a  union 
jack  in  his  main  rigging,  all  his  other  flags  having  come  down 
with  the  several  spars.  When,  however,  the  American  ship 
was  seen  luffing  up  to  close,  the  jack  was  lowered,  and  resist- 
ance ceased. 

As  the  United  States  crossed  the  stern  of  the  English  ship, 
the  firing  having  ceased  on  both  sides,  she  hailed  and  demand- 
ed tho  name  of  her  antagonist,  and  whether  she  had  submitted. 
To  the  first  interrogatory.  Commodore  Decatur  was  answered 
that  the  ship  was  the  Macedonian  38,  Captain  Garden,  and  to 
the  second,  that  the  vessel  had  struck.  On  taking  possession, 
the  enemy  was  found  fearfully  cut  to  pieces,  having  received 
no  less  than  a  hundred  round  shot  in  his  hull  alone.     Of  three 


(^ 


I 


I 


264 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[i8ia. 


hundrnd  tncn  on  board  him,  thirty  six  wore  killed,  and  sixty- 
eight  wounded. 

The  Macedonian  was  a  very  fine  ship  of  her  class,  mount- 
ing, as  usual,  40  gims ;  cighteens  on  her  gun-deck,  and  tliirty- 
two-pound  carionades  above.  She  was  smaller,  of  lighter 
armament,  and  had  fewer  men  than  her  opponent  of  course, 
but  the  dispropoTlion  between  the  force  of  the  two  vessels,  was 
much  less  than  that  between  the  execution.  In  this  action, 
the  advantage  of  position  was  with  the  British  ship  until  she 
was  crippled,  and  the  comlwat  was  little  more  than  a  plain  can- 
nonade, at  a  distance  that  rendered  grape  or  musketry  of  little 
or  no  use,  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  The  fine  of  the 
United  States  took  effect  so  lieavily  in  the  waist  of  her  antago- 
nist, that  it  is  said  the  mai'ines  of  the  latter  were  removed  to 
the  batteries,  which  circumstance  increased  the  efficiency  of 
the  ship,  by  enabling  new  crews  to  be  placed  at  guns  that  had 
been  once  cleared  of  their  men.  On  the  other  hand,  the  ma- 
rines of  the  United  States  remained  drawn  up  in  the  waist  of 
that  ship,  most  of  the  time  quite  useless,  though  they  are  un- 
derstood to  have  shown  the  utmost  steadiness  and  good  con- 
duct under  the  example  of  their  gallant  commander,  the  weight 
of  the  enemy's  fire  passing  a  short  distance  above  their  heads. 

The  United  States  suffered  surprisingly  little,  considering 
the  length  of  the  cannonade,  and  her  equal  exposure.  She 
lost  one  of  her  top-gallunt  masts,  received  some  wounds  in  the 
spars,  had  a  good  deal  of  rigging  cut,  and  was  otherwise 
injured  alofl,  but  was  hulled  a  very  few  times.  Of  her  officers 
and  people  5  were  killed  and  7  wounded.  Of  the  latter,  two 
died,  one  of  whom  was  Mr.  John  Musser  Funk,  the  junior  lieu- 
tenant of  the  ship.     No  other  officer  was  hurt. 

On  taking  possession  of  his  prize,  Commodore  Decatur 
found  her  in  a  state  that  admitted  of  her  being  taken  into  port. 
When  the  necessary  repairs  were  completed,  the  two  ships  made 
the  best  of  their  way  to  America  ;  Commodore  Decatur  dis- 
continuing the  cruise,  in  order  to  convoy  his  prize  into  port. 
The  United  States  arrived  ofT  New  London  on  the  4th  of  De- 
cember, and  about  the  same  time  the  Macedonian  got  into  New- 
port. Shortly  after,  both  ships  reached  New  York  by  the 
Hell  Gate  passage. 

The  order  and  style  with  which  the  Macedonian  was  taken, 
added  materially  to  the  hij^h  reputation  that  Commodore  De- 
catur already  enjoyed.  His  services  were  acknowledged  in 
the  usual  manner,  and  he  was  soon  after  directed  to  cruise  in 


1819.] 


NAVAL     H  I  fl  T  O  R  Y . 


265 


tho  United  States,  with  the  Macedonian,  Captain  Jones,  ia 
company.  Mr.  Allen,  tiic  first  liciitonant  of  tho  United  States, 
was  promoted  to  tho  rank  of  a  iua8tcr*commundant,  and  he 
received  duo  credit  for  the  steady  dittciplino  that  the  ship'u  com- 
pany hud  displayed. 

The  Arguu,  under  Captain  Sinclair,  ador  separating  from 
the  United  States,  cruised  alone,  making  several  captures  of 
merchantmen,  though  she  met  no  vessel  of  war,  of  a  Ibrce 
proper  for  her  to  engage. 

While  these  ovontH  wore  in  tho  cou  ,c  of  accomplishment, 
the  Wasp  18,  Captain  Joiu;s,  leil  tho  Delaware  on  a  cruise. 
She  was  one  of  tho  sloops  built  at  tho  close  of  the  Tripolitan 
war,  and  like  her  sister  ship  the  flornot,  a  beautiful  and 
fast  cruiser.  The  latter,  however,  which  originally  was  a 
brig,  had  been  rebuilt,  or  extensively  repaired  ut  Wawhington, 
on  which  occasion,  she  hod  been  pierced  for  twenty  guns,  and 
rigged  into  a  ship.  The  Wasp  still  retained  her  old  ormament 
and  construction,  having  been  a  ship  from  the  first,  mounting 
16  thirty-two  pound  corronados  and  2  long  twelves.  Her  com- 
plement of  men  varied  from  130  to  160,  according  to  circum- 
stances. She  hud  been  to  Europe  with  despatches  before  tho 
declaration  of  war,  and  did  not  return  home  until  some  weeks 
after  hostilities  had  commenced. 

Tho  Wasp,  after  refitting,  sailed  on  a  cruise  to  tho  north- 
ward. She  run  off  Boston,  made  one  capture,  and  after  an  ab- 
sence of  three  weeks,  returned  to  the  Delaware!.  On  the  IJUh 
of  October,  she  sailed  a  second  time,  and  ran  off  east,  southerly, 
to  clear  the  coast,  and  to  get  into  tho  track  of  vessels  steering 
north.  Three  days  out  it  came  on  to  blow  very  heavily,  when 
the  ship  lost  her  jib-boom,  and  two  men  that  were  on  it  ut  tho 
moment.  Tho  next  day  the  weather  moderated,  and  about  11 
o'clock  in  the  night  of  the  17th,  being  then  in  latitude  37°  N., 
and  longitude  65*  W.,  several  sail  were  niatk,  Two  of  these 
vessels  appeared  to  be  large,  and  Captain  Jlomn  lid  not  deem 
it  prudent  to  close,  until  he  had  a  better  oupo;  (unity  of  observ- 
ing them,  but  hauling  off"  to  a  convenient  diotance,  he  steered 
in  the  same  direction  with  the  unknown  vessels,  with  the  in- 
tention of  ascertaining  their  characters  in  the  morning.  When 
the  day  dawned,  the  strangers  were  seen  ahead,  and  to  lee- 
ward. Making  sail  to  close,  they  were  soon  ascertained  to  be 
a  small  convoy  of  six  English  ships,  under  the  charge  of  a 
heavy  brig  of  war.  Four  of  the  merchantmen  were  armed, 
apparently,  mounting,  as  well  as  could  be  ascertained  at  thai 
28 


■1*^ 


266 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[IBI'i. 


ii; 


.p' 


distance,  from  12  to  18  guns.  Tho  commander  of  the  brig, 
however,  manifested  no  wish  to  avail  himself  of  tho  assistance 
of  any  o/  his  convoy,  but  shortening  sail,  tho  latter  passed 
ahead,  while  ho  prepared  to  give  battle. 

Tho  Wasp  now  sent  down  top-gallont-yards,  close  roofed  her 
topsails,  and  was  otherwise  brought  under  short  lighting  c.ri- 
vass,  there  being  a  good  deal  of  sea  on.  Tho  stranger  was 
under  little  sail  also,  and  his  main  yard  was  on  deck,  where  it 
had  been  lowered  to  undergo  repairs.  As  it  was  the  evident 
intention  of  tho  Englishman  to  cover  his  convoy,  very  littlo 
manoeuvring  was  necessary  to  bring  the  vessels  alongside  of 
each  other.  At  32  minutes  past  11  A.  M.,  the  Wasp  ranged 
close  up  on  the  starboard  siac  of  tho  enemy,  receiving  her 
broadside,  at  the  distance  of  about  sixty  yards,  and  delivering 
her  own.  Tho  fire  of  the  Englishman  immediately  became 
very  rapid,  it  having  been  thought  at  the  time,  that  ho  dis- 
charged three  guns  to  the  Wasp's  two ;  and  as  the  main-topmast 
of  the  latter  ship  was  shot  away  within  five  minutes  alter  tho 
action  commenced,  appearances  at  first,  were  greatly  in  tho 
enemy's  favour.  In  eight  minutes,  the  galf  and  mizzen  top- 
gallant-mast also  fell.  But,  if  the  fire  of  the  Wasp  was  tho 
most  deliberate,  it  was  much  the  most  deadly. 

In  consequence  of  the  fall  of  the  main-topmast  of  the  Ame- 
rican ship,  which,  with  tho  main-topsail-yaid,  lodged  on  tho 
fore  and  fore-topsail  braces,  it  became  next  to  impossible  to 
haul  any  of  the  yards,  had  circumstances  required  it,  but  tho 
battle  was  continued  with  great  spirit  on  both  sides,  until  tho 
ships  had  gradually  closed  so  near,  that  the  bonds  of  the  Wasp 
rubbed  against  Iicr  antagonist's  bows.  Here  the  ships  camo 
foul,  tho  bowsprit  of  the  enemy  passing  in  over  the  quarter- 
deck of  the  Wasp,  forcing  her  bows  up  into  the  wind,  and  en- 
abling the  latter  to  throw  in  a  close  raking  fire. 

When  Captoin  Jones  perceived  the  effect  of  the  enemy's  firo 
on  his  spats  a^d  rigging,  he  closed  with  a  view  to  board ;  but 
finding  his  ship  in  so  favourable  a  position,  ho  countermanded 
an  order  to  that  effect,  and  directed  a  fresh  broadside  to  be  de- 
livered. I'he  vessels  were  now  so  near  that  in  loading  some 
of  the  Wasp's  guns,  the  rammers  hit  against  the  bows  of  her 
antagonist,  and  the  people  of  the  Englishman  could  no  longer 
be  kept  at  their  quarters  forward.  The  discharge  of  one  or 
two  of  the  carronades  swept  the  enemy's  decks,  when  the  im- 
petuosity of  the  Wasp's  crew  could  no  longer  be  restrained, 
and  they  began  to  leap  into  the  rigging,  and  from  thence  on 


-  ,..„^ 


ltil3.J 


NAVAL     II  I  B  T  O  It  Y  . 


207 


tho  bowsprit  of  iho  brij^.   As  soon  as  Mr.  Hidillv,  the  first  lieu 


bo 


tenant  ol  the  VVuap,  Ibuncl  that  the  j)copio  were 
Hlraincil,  lie  sprunjuf  into  the  rigging,  rolluwcd  by  Lieutenant  G. 
Kodgers  nnd  a  party  of  oincers  nnd  men,  and  tho  attempt  to 
board  was  seriously  nmde.  On  tho  fore<!a8tlo  of  tho  brig  Mr. 
Diddle  pasiied  all  his  own  people,  but  there  was  no  enemy  to 
0[)poso  him.  Two  or  throe  ofticcrs  wore  standing  all,  most  of 
thorn  bleeding.  The  decks  were  strewed  with  killed  and  wound- 
ed, but  not  a  common  hand  was  at  his  station ;  all  thoso  that 
were  ablo  having  gone  below,  with  tho  exception  of  tho  man 
at  tho  wheel.  Tlio  latter  had  maintained  his  post,  with  tho 
spirit  of  a  seaman,  to  tho  last. 

The  English  ofliccrs  throw  down  their  swords  in  token  of 
submission,  os  Mr.  Biddlo  passed  all;  and  it  ought  to  \>o  added, 
to  the  credit  of  tho  conquerors,  notwithstanding  the  excitement 
of  such  scenes  uro  too  apt  to  lead  even  the  disciplined  into  ex- 
cesses, not  an  enemy  was  injured  by  tho  boarders.  Mr.  Rid- 
dle sprung  into  tho  main  rigging,  and  lowered  the  English  flag 
with  his  own  hands,  when  tiie  combat  ceased,  after  a  duration 
of  43  minutes. 

The  prize  turned  out  to  bo  tho  British  sloop  of  war  Frolic 
18,  Captain  VVhinyutcs,  homeward  bound,  with  tho  vessels  in 
the  Honduras  trade  under  convoy.  Tho  Frolic,  with  tho  ex- 
ception of  being  a  brig,  was  a  vessel  of  tho  size  and  construc- 
tion of  tho  Wasp.  She  mounted,  on  her  main  deck,  16  thirty- 
two  pound  carronades,  four  long  guns,  differently  stated  to 
have  been  sixes,  nines,  and  twelves,  and  had  two  twelve-pound 
carronades  on  a  topgallant  forecastle.  This  armament  would 
make  a  force  greater  than  that  of  the  Wasp  by  four  guns,  a 
disparity  that  is  not  immaterial  in  vessels  so  small.  The  two 
crews  were  pretty  equal  in  numbers,  though  it  is  probable  that 
the  Wasp  may  have  had  a  few  men  the  most ;  a  diflerenco  that 
was  of  little  moment  under  the  circumstances,  more  particu- 
larly as  the  Frolic  was  a  brig,  and  tho  battle  was  fought,  by 
both  vessels,  under  very  short  sail.* 

The  Wasp  was  cut  up  aloft  to  an  unusual  degree,  there  hav- 
ing been  no  question  that  her  antagonist's  fire  was  heavy  and 
spirited.  The  braces  and  standing-rigging  were  nearly  all 
shot  away,  and  some  of  the  spars  that  stood  were  injured. 
She  had  five  men  killed,  aad  five  wounded.  The  hull  sus- 
tained no  great  damage. 

*  The  Wasp's  muHtcr-roll,  on  the  morning  of  tlie  18tli  October,  con- 
tained tho  names  of  138  persons,  all  told. 


2C8 


NAVAL      HIS  TO  II  Y. 


[ibia. 


The  Frolic  was  also  much  injured  in  her  spars  and  rigging, 
more  particularly  in  the  former ;  and  the  two  vessels  were 
hardly  separated,  before  both  her  masts  fell.  She  had  been 
hulled  at  almost  every  discharge,  and  was  virtually  a  wreck 
when  taken  possession  of  by  the  Americans.  Her  loss  in 
men  was  never  accurately  known,  but  her  captain,  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  master,  were  wounded ;  the  two  latter  mortally. 
Mr.  Diddle,  who  remained  in  charge  of  the  prize,  after  so  gal- 
lantly boarding  iier,  stated,  that  as  far  as  he  could  ascertain, 
she  had  from  70  to  80  killed  and  wounded.  Subsequent  in- 
formation, however,  has  given  reason  to  believe  that  tho  num- 
ber was  oven  greater.  Captain  Whinyates,  in  his  official  re- 
port, states  that  not  20  of  his  crew  escaped  unhurt,  which 
would  probably  raise  the  casualties  to  a  number  between  90 
a^id  100. 

^he  Frolic  had  scarcely  submitted,  when  a  large  sail  was 
scon  standing  towards  the  two  vessels,  evidently  a  ship  of  force. 
Instructions  were  given  to  Mr.  iJiddle  to  make  the  best  of  his 
way  to  Charleston  with  the  prize,  and  the  Wasp  began  to  make 
sail,  with  an  intention  to  continue  her  cruise;  but  on  opening 
her  canvass,  and  turning  the  reefs  out  of  her  topsails,  they 
were  found  to  be  nearly  in  ribands.  The  stranger,  which 
turned  out  to  be  tho  enemy's  ship  Poictiers  74,  hove  a  shot 
over  the  Frolic,  in  passing,  and  ranging  up  near  the  Wasp, 
both  vessels  were  captured.  The  Poictiers  proceeded  with  her 
two  prizes  to  Bermuda,  and  the  Americans,  being  paroled,  soon 
after  returned  home. 

As  this  was  the  first  combat  of  the  war  between  vessels  of 
a  force  so  nearly  equal  as  to  render  cavilling  difficult,  the  re- 
sult occasioned  much  exultation  in  America,  and  greatly  in- 
creased the  confidence  of  the  public,  in  supposing  an  Ameri- 
can ship  had  quite  as  many  claims  to  conduct,  courage,  and 
skill,  as  a  British.  Persons  of  reflection  attached  but  lit- 
tle importance,  it  is  true,  to  the  mere  fact  that  a  few  ciliisers 
had  been  taken  in  single  combat,  but  the  idea  of  British  invin- 
cibility was  destroyed,  and  vast  moral  results  were  distinctly 
foreseen. 

In  the  published  accf  unt  of  the  captain  of  the  Frolic,  much 
stress  was  laid  on  the  crippled  condition  of  his  ship,  when  she 
went  into  action.  It  is  admitted  that  his  vessel  had  her  main- 
yard  on  deck  when  she  engaged,  and,  as  little  canvass  was 
required,  her  after-sail  vi^as  reduced  to  her  fore-and-aft  main- 
sail.    There  are  circumstances  in  which  the  loss  of  a  brig's 


lBl:i. 


NAVAL    HIBTOllY 


269 


main>topsail  would  be  of  the  last  importance ;  and  there  are 
circumstances,  again,  in  which  it  would  be  of  but  little  mo- 
nuint.  On  this  occasion  it  docs  not  appear  to  have  materially 
influenced  the  result;  and  the  very  fact  that  the  yard  was 
down,  may  have  prevented  llio  mast  from  falling  during  the 
engagement,  instead  of  falling  after  it.  On  details  of  this  na- 
ture,  it  is  dilHcult  to  reason  accurately,  so  much  dcpenduig  on 
minute  circumstances,  that  must  oscope  the  general  observer. 

Captain  Jones  was  promoted  shortly  after  this  success,  and 
he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Macedonian  98, 
which  ship  had  l)een  purchased  and  taken  into  the  service. 
The  name  of  Mr.  Biddle,  who  was  an  old  lieutenant,  and 
whose  spirited  conduct  in  the  action  was  much  appreciated, 
was  also  included  in  the  list  of  masters  and  commanders  that 
was  sent  into  the  senate  about  the  same  time. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


WiiKN  Commodore  Bainbridge  took  command  of  the  three 
vessels  that  have  been  already  mentioned,  the  Constitution  44, 
his  own  ship,  and  Hornet  18,  Captain  Lawrence,  were  lying 
in  the  port  of  Boston ;  and  the  Essex  32,  Captain  Porter,  had 
just  gone  into  the  Delaware.  Orders  were  sent  to  the  latter 
officer,  to  rendezvous  first  at  Port  Praya,  in  the  island  of  St. 
Jago ;  and  secondly  at  Fernando  Noronha.  Other  places  of 
resort  were  pointed  out ;  and  he  was  also  instructed  to  cruise 
in  the  track  of  the  enemy's  Indiamen,  until  a  time  mentioned, 
when,  if  he  failed  to  fall  in  with  his  senior  officer,  he  was  at 
liberty  to  follow  his  own  discretion.  As  the  Essex  never  join- 
ed the  other  ships,  we  shall  defer  the  account  of  her  cruise,  to 
another  chapter. 

The  Constitution  and  Hornet  sailed  from  Boston  on  the  26th 
of  October.  Touching  at  the  different  rendezvous,  where  thoy 
appeared  in  the  character  of  British  vessels  of  war,  letters 
were  left  for  Captain  Porter,  under  the  assumed  name  of  Sir 
James  Yeo,  of  the  Southampton  32,  according  to  arrange- 
ment, and  the  ships  proceeded. 

Commodore  Bainbridge  arrived  off*  St.  Salvador  on  the  13th 
23- 


I       ! 


ii 


\ 


5^70 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1812. 


of  December,  and  the  Hornet  was  sent  in  to  communicate  with 
the  consul.  Captain  Lawrence  found  the  British  sloop  of  war 
Bonne  Citoyenne  18,  Captain  Green,  in  port,  but  about  to 
sail  for  England,  with  a  very  large  amount  of  specie  on  board. 
The  presence  of  this  vessel  suggested  a  hope  of  being  able  to 
get  her  out.  After  conversing  with  the  consul,  that  gentleman 
was  empowered  to  inform  the  commander  of  the  English  ship, 
that  Captain  Lawrence  was  desirous  of  meeting  him  at  sea, 
and  to  give  the  necessary  pledges  that  the  Constitution  would 
be  out  of  the  way.  A  cori-espondencc  took  place  between  the 
English  and  American  consuls  on  the  subject,  and  in  the  end. 
Captain  Green  declined  acceding  to  the  proposal. 

The  Constitution  left  the  Hornet  to  blockade  the  Bonne 
Citoyenne  alone,  on  tho  26th,  and  stood  to  the  southward, 
keeping  the  land  aboard.  About  9  A.  M.  of  the  29th,  when  in 
lat.  13°  6'  S.,  and  long.  31°  W.,  or  at  a  distance  of  ten  leagues 
from  the  coast,  two  strange  sail  were  made  in-shore  and  to 
windward.  One  of  these  vessels  continued  to  stand  in,  while 
the  other,  which  was  much  the  largest,  altered  her  course  in 
the  direction  of  the  American  frigate,  which  had  tacked  to 
close  with  her.  The  day  was  pleasant,  there  was  but  little 
sea,  and  the  wind  was  light  at  E.  N.  E. 

At  11  A.  M.,  l)eing  satisfied  that  tho  strange  sail  was  an 
enemy's  frigate,  the  Constitution  tacked  again  to  the  southward 
and  eastward,  to  draw  her  enemy  off  the  land,  which  was 
plainly  in  sight.  At  the  same  time,  she  set  her  royals,  and 
boarded  main-tack,  in  order  to  effect  this  object. 

At  12  M.  the  Constitution  showed  h^r  colours,  and  shortly 
after  the  stranger  set  the  English  ensign.  Signals  were  made 
by  both  ships,  but  proved  to  be  mutually  unintelligible.  At 
20  minutes  past  1,  P.  M.,  believing  himself  far  enough  from 
the  land.  Commodore  Bainbridge  took  in  his  main-sail  and 
royals,  and  tacked  towards  the  enemy.  Soon  after,  both  ships 
had  their  heads  to  the  southward  and  eastward,  the  Englishman 
being  to  windward  more  than  a  mile  distant,  and  well  on  the 
Constitution's  quarter. 

The  enemy  had  now  hauled  down  his  ensign,  though  ho 
kept  a  jack  flying,  and  Commodore  Bainbridge  ordered  a  shot 
fired  ahead  of  him,  to  induce  him  to  show  his  colours  anew. 
This  order  brought  on  a  general  fire,  and  the  battle  commenced 
aft  2,  P.  M.,  on  both  sides,  with  a  furious  cannonade.  The 
enemy  sailed  the  best,  and  in  the  light  wind  that  prevailed  he 
soon  forged  ahead,  keeping  away  with  a  view  to  cross  the 


I 


iNI 


'•  ^iWfr=nfeaar.jrr, 


Ibl2.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


271 


irtly 

ladc 

At 

Ifiom 

and 

ihips 

iman 

the 

ho 

I  shot 

lew. 

iced 

iThe 

he 

the 


Constitution's  bow,  but  was  foiled  by  the  latter  ship's  waring, 
which  brought  the  heads  of  the  two  combatants  once  more  to 
the  westward.  In  performing  these  evolutions,  as  the  enemy 
steered  free,  and  the  Constitution  luffed,  the  vessels  got  within 
pistol-shot,  when  the  former  repeated  the  same  attempt,  the 
ships  waring  together,  bringing  their  heads  once  more  to  the 
eastward.  The  English  ship  fore-reaching  again,  now  en- 
deavoured to  tack  to  preserve  the  weather-gage ;  but  failing, 
she  was  obliged  to  ware,  a  manoeuvre  'hat  the  Constitution  had 
already  executed  to  avoid  being  raked,  for  the  wheel  of  the 
latter  ship  had  been  shot  away,  and  it  was  difficult  to  watch 
the  vessel  with  the  helm,  as  closely  as  was  desirable.  The 
Constitution,  notwithstanding,  was  the  first  in  coming  to  the 
wind  on  the  other  tack,  and  she  got  an  efficient  raking  fire  at 
her  opponent. 

Both  vessels  now  ran  off  free,  with  the  wind  on  the  quarter, 
the  English  ship  still  to  windward,  when  the  latter  being 
greatly  injured,  made  an  attempt  to  close,  at  55  minutes  past 
2,  by  running  down  on  the  Constitution's  quarter.  Her  jib- 
boom  ran  into  the  Constitution's  mizzen  rigging,  in  which 
situation  she  suffered  severely,  without  being  able  to  effect  her 
purpose.  The  head  of  her  bowsprit  was  soon  shot  away,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  afler,  her  foremast  came  by  the  board.  The 
Constitution  shot  ahead,  keeping  away  to  avoid  being  raked ; 
in  separating,  the  stump  of  the  eneniy's  bowsprit  passed  over 
the  American  frigate's  taffrail. 

The  two  ships  now  brought  the  <  ind  abeam  again,  with 
their  heads  to  the  eastward,  and  the  Constitution  having  fore- 
rcachtd,  in  consequence  of  carrying  the  most  sail,  wore, 
passed  her  antagonist,  luffed  up  under  hi?  qu-irter,  wore  again, 
and  the  Englishman  having  ucpt  away,  the  vessels  came 
alongside  of  each  other,  and  engaged  for  a  short  time,  yard- 
arm  and  yard-arm.  In  a  few  minutes  the  enemy  lost  his  miz- 
zen-mast,  leaving  nothing  standing  but  his  main-mast,  with  the 
yard  shot  away  near  the  slings.  As  his  fire  had  ceased,  the 
Constitution  hauled  aboard  her  tacks,  and  luffed  athwart  her 
antagonist's  bow ;  passing  out  of  the  combat  to  windward,  at 
five  minutes  past  4,  with  her  topsails,  courses,  spanker,  and  jib 
set.  In  executing  this  mancEuvre,  Commodore  B.iinbridge  was 
under  the  impression  that  the  enemy  had  struck,  the  ensign 
which  had  been  hoisted  in  his  main-rigging  being  down,  his 
ship  a  wreck,  and  his  fire  silenced. 

Having  got  a  favourable  weathcrly  position,  the  Constitution 


272 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1819. 


passed  some  time  in  repairing  damages,  and  in  securing  her 
masts ;  it  being  all-important  to  an  American  frigate  so  far 
from  home,  without  colonies  or  military  stations  to  repair  to, 
and  an  ocean  to  traverse  that  was  covered  with  enemies,  to 
look  vigilantly  to  these  great  auxiliaries.  In  about  an  hour, 
observing  an  ensign  still  flying  on  board  his  enemy,  Commo- 
dore  Bainbridge  Avore  round,  und  standing  directly  across  her 
fore-foot,  the  English  vessel  anticipated  his  fire  by  striking. 

The  Constitution  immediately  wore,  with  her  head  on  the 
same  tack  as  the  captured  vessel,  hoisted  out  a  boat,  and  sent 
Mr.  Parker,  her  first  lieutenant,  to  take  possession.  The  prize 
proved  to  be  the  British  frigate  Java  38,  Captain  Lambert, 
bound  to  the  East  Indies,  hnving  on  board  as  passengers  Lieu- 
tenant General  Hislop  and  staff,  together  with  several  super- 
numerary sea-officers,  and  a  considerable  number  of  men 
intended  for  other  ships. 

This  combat  lasted  near  two  hours,  from  the  commencement 
to  the  end  of  the  firing,  and  it  had  been  warmly  contested  on 
both  sides,  but  with  very  different  results.  Although  there 
was  more  manoeuvring  than  common,  the  Java  had  been  lite- 
rally picked  to  pieces  by  shot,  spar  following  spar,  until  she 
liad  not  one  left.  Her  foremast  was  first  cut  away  near  the 
cat-harpings,  and  afterwards,  by  a  double-headed  shot,  about 
five-and-twenty  feel  from  the  deck.  The  main-topmast  went 
early,  and  the  main-i:iast  fell  after  the  Constitution  hauled  off. 
The  mizzcn-mast  was  shot  out  of  the  ship,  a  few  fi^et  from  the 
deck,  and  the  bows',)rit  near  the  cap.  Her  hull  was  also 
greatly  injured ;  and  her  loss  in  men,  according  to  the  British 
published  accounts,  was  22  killed  and  102  wounded  ;  though 
there  is  good  reason  for  supposing  it  was  considerably  greater. 
Commodore  Bainbridge  stated  it  at  60  killed  and  101  wounded. 
There  may  have  been  some  discrepancy  in  these  statements, 
in  consequence  of  the  great  number  of  supernumeraries  on 
board  the  Java,  which  ship  is  said  to  have  had  more  than  400 
men  in  her  when  taken,  or  quite  100  more  than  her  regular 
complement.*     Captain  Lambert,  of  the  Java,  was  mortally 

*  The  British  accounts  state  the  crew  of  tliC  Java  at  377  men,  includ- 
injj  Eunernumcrarics.  Commodore  Bainbridge  reports  that  he  furloughed 
361  ofilcers,  seamen,  marines,  and  boys,  cxchisively  of  8  passengers  and 
9  Porluguef,e  seamen,  making  378  souls.  If  to  these  be  added  Uie  22 
allowed  to  be  killed  by  the  enemy,  a  total  of  just  400  is  obtctined.  But  it 
is  said  that  li  muster-list,  made  five  day*  ader  the  Java  sailed,  contained 
just  446  names. 


1812.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


273 


jgh 


wounded ;  and  one  of  her  lieutenants,  the  master,  and  many 
of  her  inferior  officers,  were  slain,  or  seriously  hurt. 

The  Constitution  did  not  lose  a  spar  .'jhe  went  into  action 
with  her  royal-yards  across,  and  came  oot  of  it  with  all  three 
of  them  in  their  places.  An  eighteen -pound  shot  passed 
through  the  mizzen-mast ;  the  fore-mast  was  slightly  wounded, 
and  the  main-mast  was  untouched.  The  main-topmast  was 
also  slightly  wounded;  a  few  other  spars  were  hit,  without 
being  carried  away  ;  the  running  rigging  was  injured  a  good 
deal ;  several  shrouds  were  cut,  and  the  ship  received  a  few 
round-shot  in  her  hull.  Of  her  crew,  9  were  killed,  and  25 
were  wounded.  Among  the  latter  were  Commodore  -Bain- 
bridge,  and  the  junior  lieutenant,  Mr.  Alwyn.  The  last  died 
of  his  injuries,  some  time  ader  the  action.  Commodore  Bain- 
bridgc  was  slightly  hurt  in  the  hip,  early  in  the  engagement, 
by  a  musket-ball ;  and  the  shot  that  carried  away  the  wheel, 
drove  a  small  copper  bolt  into  his  thigh,  inflicting  a  dangerous 
wound,  though  he  kept  the  deck  until  midnight. 

Although  the  injuries  to  the  hull  of  the  Java  were  not  of  a 
nature  to  render  her  being  carried  into  port  difficult,  the 
smoothness  of  the  sea  'laving  prevented  her  fron:  receiving 
many  shot  below  the  water-line,  there  existed  many  objections 
to  attempting  it.  In  the  first  place,  it  was  known  that  the 
Brazilian  government  was  favourable  to  that  of  Great  Britain, 
and  there  had  been  strong  proof  of  it  during  the  recent  visit 
of  Commodore  Bainbridge  to  St.  Salvador.  That  officer, 
therefore  felt  a  hesitation  about  trusting  his  prize  in  a  Bra- 
zilian port.  The  difficulty  of  obtaining  masts  of  the  neces- 
sary size,  the  distance  from  home,  and  the  risks  of  recapture, 
on  ncaring  the  coast,  united  to  render  it  expedient  to  destroy 
her.  After  lying  by  her  two  or  three  days,  therefore,  with  a 
view  to  remove  the  wounded  with  proper  care,  the  Java  was 
blown  up,  and  the  Constitution  made  the  best  of  her  way  to 
St.  Salvador,  where  she  immediately  landed  her  prisoners  on 
parole. 

The  same  general  peculiarities  attended  this  combat,  as  had 
distinguished  the  two  other  cajes  of  frigate  actions.  In  all 
three,  the  American  vessels  were  superior  to  their  antagonists ; 
but  in  all  three,  had  the  difference  in  execution  bei^n  greatly 
out  of  proportion  to  the  disparity  in  force.  The  Java,  like 
the  Guerriere,  had  been  well  handled,  but  her  fire  had  been 
badly  aimed.  It  would  seem  that  the  Constitution  actually 
wore  six  times,  after  the  action  had  fairly  commenced ;  and 


\ 


274 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[Ibl3. 


allowing  for  the  positions  of  the  ships,  the  lightness  of  the 
wind,  and  the  space  that  it  was  necessary  to  run,  in  order  to 
avoid  being  raked  while  executing  these  evolutions,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  cannonade  did  not  actually  occupy  an  hour. 
The  action  must  have  terminated  some  miles  to  leeward  of  the 
spot  where  it  commenced. 

On  reaching  St.  Salvador,  Commodore  Bainbridge  found  the 
Hornet  off  the  port,  and  it  was  understood  that  the  Bonne 
Citoyenne  had  hove-short,  with  an  intention  of  going  to  sea 
that  night.  The  arrival  of  the  Constitution  appears  to  have 
produced  a  change  in  this  plan,  if  it  ever  existed.  Remaining 
a  few  days  in  port  to  land  his  prisoners,  and  to  complete  his 
arrangements.  Commodore  Bainbridge  sailed  for  America, 
January  6,  1813,  and  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  27th  of  Feb- 
ruary, after  an  absence  of  four  months. 

The  Hornet  was  left  with  orders  substantially  discretionary. 
She  remained  off  St.  Salvador,  blockading  the  Bonne  Citoyenne, 
alone,  for  eighteen  days,  when  she  was  chased  into  the  har- 
bour by  the  Montagu  74.  which  vessel  had  come  to  relieve  the 
enemy's  sloop  of  war  from  the  awkward  necessity  of  fighting 
with  so  much  treasure  on  board,  or  of  the  still  more  unpleas- 
ant dilemma  of  appearing  indisposed  to  meet  a  ship  of  equal 
force.  It  was  late  in  the  evening  ^yhen  the  Montagu  ap- 
proached, and  the  Hornet  availed  herself  of  the  darkness  to 
ware  and  stand  out  again,  passing  into  the  offing  without  fur- 
ther molestation. 

Captain  Lawrence  now  hauled  by  the  wind,  to  the  north- 
ward and  eastward,  with  the  intention  of  going  off*  Pernam- 
buco.  He  made  a  fev/  prizes,  and  continued  cruising  up  the 
coast,  until  the  24th  of  February,  when  the  ship  was  near  the 
mouth  of  Demarara  river.  Here  he  gave  chase  to  a  brig, 
which  drew  him  into  quarter-less-five,  when*,  having  no  pilot, 
he  deemed  it  prudent  to  haul  off*  shore.  At  this  moment  he 
supposed  himself  to  be  about  two  and  a  half  leagues  from  the 
fort  at  the  ei  :  ance  .>f  the  river.  Just  without  the  bar,  an- 
other brig  was  seen.  As  she  ha  ■  an  English  ensign  set,  and 
bore  every  appearance  of  being  a  man-of-war,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  attack  her.  While  the  Hornet  was  beating  round  the 
Carobana  bank,  which  lay  between  her  and  the  enemy,  with  a 
view  to  get  at  him,  another  sail  was  made  on  her  weather  quar- 
ter, edging  down  towards  her,  I*  was  now  half  past  3  P.  M., 
and  the  Hornet  continuing  to  turn  to  windward,  with  her  ori- 
ginal intention,  by  twenty  minutes  past  4  the  second  stranger 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y. 


275 


was  made  out  to  be  a  large  man>of-war  brig.  Shortly  after 
he  showed  English  colours. 

As  soon  as  her  captain  was  satisfied  that  the  vessel  ap- 
proaching was  an  enemy,  the  Hornet  was  cleared  for  action, 
and  her  people  went  to  quarters.  The  ship  was  kept  close  by 
the  wind,  in  order  to  gain  the  weather-gage,  the  enemy  still 
running  free.  At  5  10,  feeling  certain  that  he  could  weather 
the  Englishman,  Captain  Lawrence  showed  his  colours  and 
tacked.  The  two  vessels  were  now  standing  towards  each 
other,  with  their  heads  different  ways,  both  close  by  the  wind. 
They  passed  within  half  pistol-shot  at  5  25,  delivering  their 
broadsides  as  the  guns  bore ;  each  vessel  using  the  larboard 
battery.  As  soon  as  they  were  clear,  the  Englishman  put  his 
helm  hard  up,  with  the  intention  to  ware  short  round,  and  get 
a  raking  fire  at  the  Hornet ;  but  the  manoeuvre  was  closoiy 
watched  and  promptly  imitated,  and,  firing  his  starboard  guns, 
he  was  obliged  to  right  his  helm,  as  the  Hornet  was  coming 
down  on  his  quarter,  in  a  perfect  blaze  of  fire.  The  latter 
closed,  and  maintaining  the  admirable  position  she  had  taken, 
poured  in  her  shot  with  such  vigour,  that  a  little  before  5  40, 
the  enemy  not  only  lowered  his  ensign,  but  he  hoisted  it  union 
down,  in  the  fore-rigging,  as  a  signal  of  distress.  His  main- 
mast soon  after  fell. 

Mr.  J.  T.  Shubrick  was  sent  on  board  to  take  possession. 
This  officer  soon  returned  with  the  information  that  the  prize 
was  the  i  !my's  sloop  of  war  Peacock  18,  Captain  Pcake,  and 
that  sht>  was  fast  sinking,  iK^ving  already  six  feet  of  water  in 
her  hold.  Mr.  Conner,  the  third  lieutenant  of  the  Hornet,  and 
Mr,  B.  Cooper,  one  of  her  midshipmen,  were  immediately  des- 
|)atched  with  boats,  to  get  out  the  wounded,  and  to  endeavour 
to  save  the  vessel.  It  was  too  late  for  the  lati.cr,  though  every 
exertion  was  made.  Both  vessels  were  immediately  anchored, 
guns  were  thrown  overboard,  shot-holes  plugged,  and  recourse 
was  had  to  the  pumps,  and  even  to  bailing ;  but  the  short  twi- 
light of  that  low  latitude  left  the  prize-crew,  before  the  prisoners 
could  be  removed.  In  the  hurrr  and  confusion  of  such  a 
scene,  and  while  the  boats  of  the  Hornet  were  absent,  four  o( 
the  Eiij^Hshmen  lowered  th<?  stcru  boat  of  the  Peacock,  wluch 
had  been  thought  too  much  injured  to  be  used,  jumped  into  it, 
and  pulled  for  the  land,  at  the  imminent  risk  of  their  Uveo.* 

Mr.  Conner  became  sensible  that  the  brig  was  in  momentary 


*  I  iicse  adventurers  got  ashoire  safely. 


ill    ' 


!    H3 


276 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1813. 


danger  of  sinking,  and  he  endeavoured  to  collect  the  people  re- 
maining  on  board,  in  the  Peacock's  launch,  which  still  stood 
on  deck,  the  fall  of  the  main-mast,  and  the  w&nt  of  time,  hnv- 
ing  prevented  an  attempt  to  get  it  into  the  water.  Unfortunately, 
a  good  many  of  the  Peacock's  jieople  were  below,  rummaging 
the  vessel,  and  when  the  brig  gave  her  last  wallow  it  was  too 
late  to  save  them. 

The  Peacock  settled  very  easily  but  suddenly,  in  five  and  a 
half  fathoms  water,  and  the  two  American  officers,  with  most 
of  the  men,  and  several  prisoners,  saved  themselves  in  the 
launch,  though  not  without  great  exertions.  Three  of  the 
Hornet's  people  went  down  in  the  brig,  and  nine  of  the  Pea- 
cock's were  also  drowned.  Four  more  of  the  latter  saved 
themselves  by  running  up  the  rigging  into  the  foretop,  which 
remained  out  of  water,  after  the  hull  had  got  to  the  bottom. 
The  launch  had  no  oars,  and  it  was  paddled  by  pieces  of 
boards  towards  the  Hornet,  when  it  was  met  by  one  of  thee  li- 
ters of  that  fehip,  which  was  returning  to  the  brig.  I'he  cutter 
immediately  pulled  towards  the  Peacock's  fore-mast,  in  the 
hope  of  finding  some  one  swimming ;  but,  with  the  exception 
of  those  in  the  top,  no  person  was  saved. 

In  this  short  encounter,  the  Peacock  had  her  captain  and 
four  men  killed,  and  thirty-three  wounded.  The  Hornet  had 
one  man  killed,  and  two  wounded,  in  addition  to  two  men  bfdly 
burned  by  the  explosion  of  a  cartridge.  She  suffered  a  good 
deal  aloft,  had  one  shot  through  the  foremast,  and  the  bowsprit 
was  hit. 

The  Peacock  was  a  vessel  of  the  Hornet's  size,  being  a  little 
shorter,  but  having  more  beam.  Her  proper  armament  was 
thirty-twos,  but,  for  some  reason  that  is  not  known,  it  had 
been  changed  for  lighter  guns,  and  in  the  action  she  mounted 
16  twenty-four  pound  carronades,  2  light  long  guns,  a  twelve 
pound  carrcnade  on  her  topgallant  forecastle,  and  another  light 
long  gun  aft.  By  her  quarter-bill,  she  had  130  men  on  board, 
at  the  time  she  was  taken.  This  force  rendered  her  inferior 
to  the  Hornet,  which  ship  mounted  18  thirty-two  pound  car- 
ronades and  two  long  twelves.  The  Hornet  in  the  action 
mustered  135  men  fit  for  duty. 

Notwithstanding  the  superiority  of  the  Hornet,  the  same  dis- 
parity between  the  execution  and  the  difference  in  force,  is  to 
be  seen  in  this  action,  as  in  those  already  mentioned.  In  al- 
lowing the  Hornet  to  get  the  weather-gage,  the  Peacock  was 
out-manoBuvred ;  but,  with  this  exception,  she  is  understood  to 


1813.] 


NAVAL     H  I  B  T  O  Jl  Y . 


277 


light 

"|:K»ard, 

iferior 

car- 

■action 

le  dis- 

i,  is  to 

In  al- 

Ik  was 

lood  to 


have  been  well  managed,  though  her  gunnery  was  defective. 
The  only  siiot  that  touched  the  hull  of  the  Hornet,  was  one 
.(i'"ed  aa  the  laltei'  ship  wus  falling  off,  in  waring ;  it  merely 
j^Utnced  athwart  her  bows,  indenting  a  plank  beneath  the  cat- 
head. As  this  shot  must  have  been  lired  from  a  starboard 
gun  of  the  IV-UGock,  the  fact  demonstrates  how  well  she  was 
handled  ;  and  that,  in  waring,  her  commu  der  had  rightly  esti- 
mated and  judiciously  used  the  peculiar  powers  of  u  brig, 
though  the  quick  movements  of  his  antagonist  deprived  him  of 
the  result  he  had  expected,  and  immediately  gave  the  Hornet 
a  decided  advantage  in  position.  It  would  te  cavilling  to  deny 
that  this  short  combat  was  decided  by  the  superior  gunnery 
and  rapid  handling  of  the  Hornet. 

As  the  brig  at  anchor  might  come  out  and  attack  her,  tho 
greatest  exertions  were  made  on  board  the  Hornet  to  be  in 
readiness  to  receive  tho  enemy,  and  by  0  o'clock  at  night,  new 
sails  had  been  bent,  her  boats  were  stovvtHi,  the  ship  w  is 
cleared,  and  every  thing  was  ready  for  another  action.  At  2 
A.  M.,  she  got  ruder  way,  and  stood  to  tiio  northward  and 
westward,  under  easy  sail.  Captain  Lawrence  finding  that  ho 
had  now  277  souls  on  board,  including  the  people  of  another 
I)rizc,  and  that  ho  was  short  of  water,  determined  to  return 
home,  Tho  allowance  of  water  was  reduced  to  three  pints  a 
man,  and  the  ship  run  through  the  Wcstdndies,  anchoring  at 
Holmes's  Hole,  in  Martha's  Vineyard,  on  the  19lh  of  March; 
whence  she  came  through  tho  Vineyard  and  Long  Island 
Sounds  to  New  York  without  meeting  an  enemy. 

The  successes  of  the  Constitution  and  Hornet,  two  of  the 
vessels  of  Commodore  Bainbridgc's  squadron,  served  greatlj^ 
to  increase  the  popularity  of  the  navy.  Their  commanders 
were  rewarded  with  medals,  swords,  and  votes  of  thanks,  by 
diflcrent  legislatures ;  and  (Japtain  Lawrence  was  promoted, 
and  transferred  to  the  command  of  the  Chesapeake. 

Congress,  by  this  time,  began  to  feel  more  confidence  in  the 
ability  to  withstand  British  prowess,  and  a  law  had  been  passed 
on  the  2d  of  January,  to  increa  je  the  naval  force  of  the  coun- 
try. By  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  President  wn-;  empow- 
ered to  build  four  ships  to  rate  not  less  than  seventy-four  jrurw, 
and  six  ships  to  rate  at  forty-iour  guns  each.  This  was  at 
once  multiplying  the  force  of  the  navy  tenfold,  and  it  may  be 
esteemed  the  first  step  that  was  ever  actually  put  in  execution, 
towards  establishing  a  marine  that  might  prove  of  material 
moment,  in  influencing  the  results  of  a  war.  Measures  v'ere 
24 


'  1 


278 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1613. 


taken  immediately  to  lay  the  keels  of  8ome  of  Cue  ships  of  the 
lino,  and  Commodori!  Bainbridge,  being  apjoointed  to  superin- 
tend the  construction  of  one  of  them,  relinquished  the  com- 
mand of  the  Constitution. 

Another  law  passed,  on  the  3d  of  March,  directing  "ix  sloops 
of  war  to  be  built  on  the  sea-board,  and  authorising  th,  instruc- 
tion of  as  many  vessels  on  the  lakes  as  the  public  t  ;ice  re- 
quired. Congress  also  voted  handsome  sums  to  t.  j  officers 
and  crews  of  the  ships  that  had  destroyed  captured  vessels  of 
war,  in  the  way  of  prize-money. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

When  Commodore  Bainbridge  sailed  from  Boston,  the  Es- 
sex, still  under  the  command  of  Captain  Porter,  was  lying  in 
the  Delaware.  She  quitted  that  river  the  28th  of  October,  or 
tno  tavs  after  the  other  ships  of  the  squadron  hud  got  to  sea. 

Tie  Essex  was  singularly  unfortunate  in  not  falling  in  with 
an  en*  :ny  of  any  sort  for  several  weeks,  and  on  the  llth  of 
D'l'OAibcr,  she  crossed  the  equator  in  longitude  30°  W.,  the 
same  bad  luck  attending  her.  On  the  12lh,  however,  about  2 
P.  M.,  a  vessel  was  seen  to  windward,  which  had  every  ap- 
pearance of  an  enemy's  man-of-war  brig.  At  six,  the  stranger 
began  to  show  signals,  which  went  to  confirm  the  idea  of  his 
character.  As  the  chase  was  still  to  windward,  and  night 
was  coming  on  fast,  an  unsuccessful  effort  was  made  to  decoy 
her  down,  by  making  signals  in  return.  At  sunset  the  brig 
showed  Elnglish  coIr»!«rs,  and,  when  it  was  sufficiently  durk,  she 
made  some  night-sigiials.  By  9  P.  M.  the  Essex  succeeded  in 
getting  within  musket-shot.  Captain  Porter  soon  after  hailed, 
and  ordered  the  brig  to  settle  her  topsails,  haul  up  her  courses, 
and  to  hcave-to  to  windward.  At  the  same  time  ord  rs  were 
given  to  the  different  divisions  not  to  fire  into  the  str.uigei*,  as 
it  was  very  desirable  to  get  possession  without  doing  him  any 
injury.  Instead  of  complying  with  the  directions  of  Captain 
Porter,  however,  the  brig  endeavoured  to  cross  the  stern  of  the 
Essex,  by  keeping  away,  probably  with  an  intention  to  rake 
her,  and  to  escape  to  leeward.     This  drew  a  volley  of  mus- 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HI  STORY 


279 


ingtructcd  to  make  the  h 
cor  had  got  tetwe*  ■ 
the  execution  of  his  uui 
in  a  g&!o.   Just  as  the  v 
made  to  windward.     Mi 


ketry  from  the  frigate,  which  killed  one  man,  when  the  brig 
struck. 

The  prize  was  the  British  government  packet  Nocton  10, 
with  a  crow  of  31  men.  On  board  of  her  were  found  855,000 
in  specie.  The  next  day  a  crew  of  17  men  was  put  into  the 
Nocton,  under  the  orders  c  '  ^  cting  Lieutenant  Finch,  who  was 

lis  way  to  America.  This  ofii- 
'  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  in 
was  compelled  to  l»eave-to 
.;rated,  a  British  frigate  was 
iu«;h  lied  the  sailing  of  the  brig 
with  the  enemy,  on  different  tacks,  but  finally  put  away  dead 
before  the  wind,  as  the  only  means  of  escape.  As  it  was  not 
in  the  power  of  fhe  prize-crew  to  make  sail  with  sufficient 
rapidity  to  compete  with  n  frigate's  complement  of  men,  the 
Nocton  was  soon  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns,  and  a  few 
shot  were  fired,  which  did  some  injury  to  her  rigging.  Mr. 
Finch,  howc'cr,  held  on,  until  the  enemy  had  got  close  upon 
his  quarter,  und  was  about  to  fire  a  volley  of  musketry,  when, 
qsrape  being  hopeless,  ho  struck.  Thus  did  the  Essex  lose 
her  first  prizo,  though  the  specie  had  been  taken  out  of  her, 
and  was  rendered  secure  by  being  subsequently  used  on  ac- 
count of  the  g*  ivernment. 

On  the  14th,  the  Essex  made  the  i:dnnd  of  Fernando  de  No- 
ronha,  and  communicated  with  the  land,  without  going  in. 
Here  Captain  Porter  obtained  the  letter  from  Commodore  Bain- 
briuge,  informing  him  that  he  would  find  *he  other  vessels  off 
Cape  Frio.  From  this  time,  until  the  25th,  the  ship  was  mak- 
ing her  passage  towards  the  coast ;  on  the  afternoon  of  that 
day,  she  hove-to  off  the  pitch  of  the  Cape,  where  no  signs  were 
to  be  seen  of  the.  Constitution  or  FJornet.  Three  days  after- 
wards, in  fact,  the  first  of  these  vessels  captured  the  .Tava  oft* 
St.  Salvador.  After  cruising  a  short  time,  at  this  rendezvous, 
the  Essex  was  drawn  a  long  distance  to  leeward  in  chase ;  and 
in  attempting  to  beat  up  again  to  her  station,  she  was  met  by 
heavy  weather,  which  induced  Captain  Porter  to  change  his 
cruising  ground.  On  the  morning  of  the  2t>th,  th.  frigate  cap- 
tured an  English  merchant  vessel,  which  proved  to  be  one  of 
a  convoy  of  six  sail,  in  charge  of  a  man-of-war  schooner,  that 
had  left  Rio  the  night  previously,  this  vessel  having  put  back 
in  consequence  of  discovering  a  leak.  On  obtaining  this  intel- 
ligence. Captain  Porter  followed  on  the  track  of  the  convoy, 
and  after  a  long  and  fruitless  chase,  he  determined  to  go  off 


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280 


N  AV  AL    HISTORY. 


[1813. 


St.  Salvador,  in  order  to  intercept  it.  While  beating  up  with 
this  intention,  information  was  received  from  different  Portu- 
guese vessels,  of  the  presence  of  the  other  ships  of  the  squadron 
off  the  port,  and  renewed  efforts  were  made  to  join.  But  strong 
northerly  winds  prevailed,  and  Captain  Porter,  after  struggling 
with  them  a  week,  decided  to  run  into  St.  Catherine's  to  water. 

Having  been  disappointed  in  his  attempts  to  fall  in  with  the 
commodore,  at  three  rendezvous,  and  ascertaining  that  the  Mon- 
tagu 74,  had  sailed  from  Rio  to  raise  the  blockade  of  the  ves- 
sels ut  St.  Salvador,  Captain  Porter  was  greatly  at  a  loss  which 
way  to  steer,  in  order  to  join  the  other  ships.  It  was  near  the 
end  of  January,  1813,  and,  in  point  of  fact,  the  Constitution 
had  left  the  coast  on  the  6th  of  that  month,  on  her  way  home. 
As  the  Hornet  followed  her  on  the  24th,  in  determining  to  act 
for  himself,  during  the  remainder  of  the  cruise.  Captain  Porter 
came  to  a  happy  decision. 

The  Essex  left  St.  Catherine's  on  the  26th  of  January,  1813, 
for  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  after  a  most  tempestuous  passage 
round  the  Horn,  she  fell  in  with  the  pleasant  southwest  breezes 
of  that  sea  on  the  5th  of  March,  and  at  meridian  of  that  day 
her  people  got  a  distant  view  of  the  Andes.  On  the  5th.  she 
anchored  at  the  island  of  Mocha. 

The  Essex  was  now  fairly  in  the  Pacific,  though  she  had 
not  fallen  in  with  an  enemy  for  two  months.  There  was  but 
one  chart  of  the  ocean  in  the  ship,  and  that  was  very  small 
and  imperfect ;  the  provisions  were  getting  short,  and  the  ves- 
sel was  much  in  want  of  cordage.  Notwithstanding  these  ne- 
cessities, Captain  Porter  felt  reluctant  to  let  his  arrival  be 
known  until  he  made  a  few  captures,  hoping  to  supply  his  ship 
from  prizes.  Anxious  to  obtain  information  of  the  British  force, 
by  the  same  means,  he  determined  to  cruise  a  short  time  before 
he  proceeded  to  Valparaiso.  An  ill  fortune,  however,  continued 
to  prevail,  and  for  many  days  the  ship  was  enveloped  in  fogs. 
She  continued  standing  along  shore,  to  the  northward ;  and  on 
the  13th,  while  running  before  a  stiff  southerly  breeze,  she 
rounded  the  Point  of  Angels,  shot  into  full  view  of  the  port  and 
town  of  Valparaiso,  and  was  becalmed  under  the  guns  of  a 
battery. 

As  he  had  English  colours  flying,  Captain  Porter  came  to  a 
conclusion  not  to  go  in,  for,  taking  a  survey  of  the  shipping  in 
port,  and  perceiving  several  Spaniards  ready  to  .sail,  he  thought 
it  prudent  to  let  them  get  to  sea  before  the  arrival  of  an  Ameri- 
can cruiser  became  known  in  the  place.    The  ship's  head  was 


^?/'™J?^^'--"Ti'  -»^\'^ 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


281 


consequently  kept  to  the  northward,  and  the  breeze  striking 
her  again,  she  ran  the  town  out  of  sight  in  an  hour  or  two. 
On  the  16ih,  however,  the  ship  returned,  made  the  Point  of 
Angels  once  more,  went  in,  and  anchored. 

To  the  astonishment  of  Captain  Porter,  he  now  ascertained 
that  Chili  had  declared  itself  independent  of  Spain,  and  his  re- 
ception  was  as  favourable  as  he  could  have  desired.  He  also 
learned  that  the  Viceroy  of  Peru  had  sent  out  cruisers  against 
the  American  shipping,  and  that  his  appearance  in  the  Pacific 
was  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the  American  trade,  which 
lay  at  the  mercy  of  the  English  letters  of  marque,  and  of  these 
Peruvian  corsairs.  This  was  cheering  intelligence,  after  the 
fatigues  and  disappointments  of  a  cruise  of  so  many  months. 

For  more  than  a  week  the  Essex  wjui  employed  in  victual- 
ling. During  this  time  an  American  whaler  came  in  from  the 
islands.  According  to  the  accounts  of  her  master,  the  Ameri- 
can whalers,  which  had  left  home  during  a  time  of  peace,  lay 
entirely  at  the  mercy  of  those  of  the  enemy ;  several  of  which 
had  sailed  as  regular  letters  of  marque,  and  all  of  which  were 
more  or  less  armed.  Many  of  the  American  vessels,  as  they 
often  kept  the  sea  six  months  at  a  time,  were  probably  still  ig- 
norant of  the  war ;  and  it  was  known  that  one  of  them,  at 
least,  had  already  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  English.  As 
soon  as  imperfectly  victualled,  the  frigate  went  to  sea,  to  profit 
by  this  intelligence. 

On  the  25th,  the  Essex  fell  in  with  the  American  %vhale 
ship  Charles,  and  learned  that  two  other  vessels,  the  Walker 
and  Barclay,  had  been  captured  a  few  days  previously,  off 
Coquimbo,  by  a  Peruvian,  with  an  English  ship  in  company. 
Sail  was  made,  in  consequence,  in  the  direction  of  Coquimbo, 
and,  a  few  hours  later,  a  stranger  was  seen  to  the  northward. 
This  vessel  was  soon  ascertained  to  be  a  cruising  ship,  dis- 
guised as  a  whaler.  She  showed  Spanish  colours,  when  the 
Essex  set  an  English  ensign,  fired  a  gun  to  leeward,  and  the 
Charles,  which  remained  in  company,  hoisted  the  American  flag 
beneath  an  English  jack.  The  Spaniard  now  ran  down,  and, 
when  about  a  mile  distant,  he  fired  a  shot  ahead  of  the  Essex, 
which  that  ship  answered  by  throwing  a  few  shot  over  him,  to 
bring  him  nearer.  When  close  enough,  the  Spanish  ship  sent 
an  armed  boat  to  board  the  Essex,  and  it  was  directed  to  go 
back  with  an  order  for  the  cruiser  to  run  under  the  frigate's 
lee,  and  to  send  an  officer  to  apologize  for  the  shot  she  had 
fired  at  an  English  man-of-war.  This  command  was  com- 
24* 


282 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1813. 


I 


plied  with,  and  the  ship  was  ascertained  to  be  the  Peruvian  pri- 
vateer Nereyda,  armed  with  15  guns,  and  with  a  full  crew. 
The  lieutenant,  who  now  came  on  board,  informed  Captain 
Porter  that  they  were  cruising  for  Americans ;  that  they  had 
already  taken  the  Walker  and  the  Barclay ;  that  the  English 
letter  of  marque  Nimrod  had  driven  their  prize-crew  from  on 
board  the  Walker ;  that  they  were  then  cruising  expressly  to 
look  for  the  Nimrod,  with  the  intention  of  obtaining  redress  ; 
and  that  they  had  mistaken  the  Essex  for  the  latter  ship.  It 
would  seem  that  the  Peruvians  cruised  against  the  Americans, 
under  the  impression  that  Spain,  then  so  dependent  on  Eng- 
land for  her  existence,  would  declare  war  speedily  against  the 
United  States,  in  consequence  of  the  war  declared  by  the  latter 
against  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  which  might  legalise  their 
captures. 

An  interview  with  the  master  of  the  Walker  satisfied  Cap- 
tain i^orter  that  the  captured  ships  had  been  illegally  seized ;  and 
hoisting  American  colours,  he  fired  two  shots  over  the  Nereyda, 
when  that  vessel  struck.  Her  crew  were  all  sent  on  board  the 
Essex,  and  the  three  ships  stood  in-shore  to  look  into  Coquimbo, 
in  the  hope  of  finding  the  Nimrod  and  the  prizes,  but  without  suc- 
cess. The  next  morning,  the  entire  armament  of  the  Nereyda, 
with  all  her  ammunition,  shot,  small-arms,  and  light  sails, 
were  thrown  overboard,  and  she  was  otherwise  put  in  a  condi- 
tion to  do  no  harm,  when  she  was  released.  It  is  worthy  of 
remark,  that  the  guns  of  this  vessel  were  of  iron,  while  her 
shot  of  all  descriptions  were  of  copper ;  the  abundn  of  the 
latter  material  in  that  part  of  the  world,  rendering  eaper 

than  the  metal  usually  employed  for  such  purposes. 

From  the  master  and  crew  of  the  Barclay,  Captain  Porter 
obtained  a  list  of  such  of  the  whaling  ves.^^ls  as  they  knew  to 
be  in  the  Pacific.  It  contained  the  names  of  twenty-three  Ame- 
rican, and  of  ten  English  ships.  The  former  was  probably 
the  most  correct,  as  his  informants  added  that  quite  twenty 
Englishmen  were  thought  to  be  in  that  sea.  The  latter  were, 
in  general,  fine  vessels  of  near  4C0  tons  burthen,  and,  as  has 
been  said  already,  they  were  all  more  or  less  armed. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  the  ship  was  up  with  the  island  of 
San  Gallan,  when  she  hauled  oflT  to  the  northward  and  west- 
ward, with  a  view  to  cross  the  track  of  inward-bound  vessels. 
The  next  day,  three  sail  were  made,  standing  for  Callao. 
Every  thing  was  set  to  cut  the  strangers  off,  particularly  the 
one  nearest  in,  which  had  the  appearance  of  the  Barclay.    The 


1813.1 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


283 


chase,  however,  would  have  escaped,  had  she  not  been  be- 
calmed when  she  doubled  the  point  of  San  Lorenzo.  At  this 
moment  the  frigate  was  near  a  league  distant,  but,  fortunately, 
she  kept  the  breeze  until  she  had  got  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  the  enemy,  when  she  lowered  her  boats,  and  took  posses- 
sion. The  prize  proved  to  be  the  Barclay,  as  had  been  ex- 
pected. There  was  now  a  good  opportunity  of  looking  into 
the  harbour,  and  finding  that  nothing  had  arrived  from  Valpa- 
raiso to  disclose  his  presence  in  the  Pacific,  Captain  Porter 
showed  English  colours,  while  the  Barclay  hoisted  the  Ameri- 
can under  the  enemy's  ensign.  In  this  manner  both  vessels 
went  into  the  offing,  whore  the  Barclay  was  given  up  to  her 
proper  officers,  though  most  of  her  crew  having  entered  in  the 
Essex,  and  declining  to  rejoin  the  ship,  her  master  preferred 
keeping  in  company  with  the  frigate,  offering  to  act  as  a  pilot 
in  searching  for  the  enemy.  "With  this  understanding,  the  two 
vessels  stretched  off"  to  the  northward  and  westward. 

From  the  end  of  March  until  the  middle  of  April,  the  Essex, 
with  the  Barclay  in  company,  was  standing  across  from  the 
main  towards  the  islands,  and  on  the  17th  she  made  Chatham 
Island ;  but  no  ship  was  found  there.  From  this  place  the  fri- 
gate went  to  Charles's  Island,  where  she  had  the  same  want  of 
success.  At  the  latter  island,  however,  was  a  box  called  "  the 
post-office,"  in  which  the  masters  of  the  whalers  were  accus- 
tomed to  leave  written  accounts  of  their  luck  and  movements, 
and  much  information  was  obtained  from  them,  concerning  the 
different  ships  in  the  Pacific. 

The  Essex  continued  passing  from  island  to  island,  without 
meeting  with  any  thing,  until  her  crew  was  aroused  by  the 
cheering  cry  of  "  sail  ho !"  on  the  morning  of  the  29th.  A 
ship  was  made  to  the  westward,  and,  soon  after,  two  more  a 
little  further  south.  Chase  was  given  to  the  first  vessel,  which 
was  spoke  under  English  colours,  about  9  A.  M.  She  proved 
to  be  the  British  whale-ship  Montezuma,  with  1400  barrels  of 
oil  on  board.  Throwing  a  crew  into  the  prize,  the  Essex  next 
made  sail  after  the  two  other  ships,  which  had  taken  the  alarm, 
and  endeavoured  to  escape.  At  11  A.  M.,  when  the  frigate 
was  about  eight  miles  from  the  two  strangers,  it  fell  calm,  and 
the  boats  were  hoisted  out  and  sent  against  the  enemy,  under 
Mr.  Downes,  the  first  lieutenant.  About  2  P.  M.  the  party  got 
within  a  mile  of  the  nearest  ship,  when  the  two  strangers,  who 
were  a  quarter  of  a  mile  apart,  hoisted  English  colours,  and 
fired  several  guns.    The  boats  now  formed,  and  pulled  for  the 


284 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


^'"i* 


largest  ship,  which  kept  training  her  guns  on  them  as  they  ap< 
preached,  but  struck  without  firing  a  shot,  just  as  the  boarders 
were  closing.  The  second  vessel  imitated  her  example,  when 
attacked  in  the  same  manner. 

The  prizes  were  the  G^orgiana  and  the  Policy,  both 
whalers ;  and  the  three  ships,  together,  furnished  the  Essex 
with  many  important  supplies.  They  had  bread,  beef,  pork, 
cordage,  water,  and  among  other  useful  things,  a  great  number 
of  Gailapagos  tortoises. 

The  Georgiana  had  been  built  for  the  service  of  the  English 
East  India  Company,  and  having  the  reputation  of  being  a  fast 
vessel.  Captain  Porter  detertnined  to  equip  her  as  a  cruiser, 
with  the  double  purpose  of  having  an  assistant  in  looking  for 
the  enemy,  and  of  possessing  a  consort  to  receive  his  own  crew 
in  the  event  of  any  accident's  occurring  to  the  Essex.  This 
ship  was  pierced  for  18  guns,  and  had  6  mounted  when  taken. 
The  Policy  was  also  pierced  for  the  same  number,  and  had  10 
guns  mounted.  The  latter  were  now  added  to  the  armament 
of  the  Georgiana,  which  gave  her  16  light  guns.  All  the 
small-arms  were  collected  from  the  prizes  and  put  in  her,  her 
try-works  were  taken  down,  and  other  alterations  made,  when 
Mr.  Downes  was  placed  in  command,  with  a  crew  of  41  men. 
By  this  arrangement,  it  was  believed  that  the  Georgiana  would 
be  fully  able  to  capture  any  of  the  English  letters  of  marque, 
known  to  be  cruising  among  the  islands.  In  consequence  of 
these  changes,  and  the  manning  of  the  two  other  prizes,  not- 
withstanding several  enlistments,  the  crew  of  the  Essex  was 
reduced  to  264  souls,  officers  included.  On  the  8th  of  May,  the 
Georgiana  16,  Lieutenant-Commandant  Downes,  hoisted  the 
American  pennant,  and  fired  a  salute  of  17  guns. 


•t 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 


A  PEW  trials  proved  that  the  Georgiana  could  not  hold  way 
with  the  Essex,  and  that  her  reputation,  as  a  fast  vessel,  was 
unmerited.  Still,  as  she  had  been  relieved  from  much  of  her 
lumber,  she  outsailed  the  other  ships,  and  hopes  were  enter- 
tained of  her  being  made  useful.    Accordingly,  on  the  12th, 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


285 


9he  parted  company,  with  orders  to  cruise  against  the  enemy, 
and  to  rendezvous  at  difTerent  places  on  the  coast,  as  well  as 
at  various  islands,  in  a  regular  succession  as  to  time.  The  se- 
paration was  not  long,  however,  the  Georgiana  looking  into 
Charles's  Island,  in  quest  of  English  vessels,  at  a  moment 
when  the  Essex  happened  to  be  there  on  the  same  errand. 

The  Georgiana  was  now  sent  to  Albemarle  Island,  Captain 
Porter  having  reason  to  suppose  that  a  particular  ship  of  the 
enemy  was  in  that  quarter.  The  Essex  continued  in  the  vici- 
nity of  Charles's  Island,  capturing  the  Atlantic,  of  355  tons, 
24  men,  and  8  guns,  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  May.  The 
same  night  she  took  the  Greenwich,  of  338  tons,  10  guns,  and 
28  men.  These  several  captures  nearly  stripped  the  frigate 
of  her  officers,  and  she  sailed  for  Tumbez,  where  she  arrived 
on  the  19th  of  June. 

While  cruising  near  James's  Island,  Mr.  Downe*  had  cap- 
tured the  British  whale  ships  the  Catherine,  of  270  tons,  8 
guns,  and  29  men,  and  the  Rose,  of  220  tons,  8  guns,  and  21 
men.  These  two  vessels  were  taken  with  no  resistance,  their 
masters  having  come  on  board  the  Georgiana,  without  sus- 
pecting her  character.  After  manning  his  prizes,  Mr.  Downes 
had  but  20  men  and  boys  left  in  the  Georgiana,  when  he 
chased  and  closed  with  a  third  whaler,  called  the  Hector,  a 
ship  of  270  tons,  25  men,  and  11  guns,  though  pierced  for  20. 
At  this  time,  Mr.  Downes  had  also  50  prisoners,  most  of  whom 
he  was  compelled  to  put  in  irons,  before  he  brought  the  Hector 
to  action.  When  within  hail,  the  latter  ship  was  ordered  to 
haul  down  her  colours,  but  refused,  and  the  Georgiana  opened 
a  fire  upon  her.  A  sharp  combat  followed,  when  the  Hector 
struck,  with  the  loss  of  her  maintopmast,  having  had  most  of 
her  standing  and  running  rigging  shot  away.  She  had  also 
two  men  killed,  and  six  wounded. 

After  manning  the  Hector,  Mr.  Downes  had  but  10  men  left 
in  the  Georgiana;  and,  including  the  wounded,  he  had  73 
prisoners.  The  Rose  being  a  dull  ship,  he  threw  overboard 
her  guns,  and  most  of  her  cargo,  and,  paroling  his  prisoners, 
he  gave  her  up  to  them,  on  condition  that  they  should  sail  di- 
rect  for  St.  Helena.  As  soon  as  this  arrangement  was  made, 
he  made  sail  for  Tumbez,  to  join  the  Essex,  at  which  port  he 
arrived  on  the  24th  of  June. 

The  little  fleet  now  amounted  to  nine  sail,  and  there  was  an 
opportunity  to  make  new  arrangements.  The  Atlantic  being 
nearly  100  tons  larger  than  the  Georgiana,  as  well  as  a  much 


286 


NAVAL    HIST  OR  Y. 


[1813. 


M 


faster  ship,  besides  possessing,  in  a  greater  degree,  every  ma- 
terial quality  for  a  cruiser,  Mr.  Downes  and  his  crew  were 
transferred  to  her.  Twenty  guns  were  mounted  in  this  now 
sloop  of  war ;  she  was  named  the  Essex  Junior,  and  manned 
with  60  men.  The  Greenwich  was  also  converted  into  a  store- 
ship,  and  all  the  spare  stores  of  the  other  vessels  were  sent  on 
board  her.  She  was  also  armed  with  20  guns,  though  her 
crew  was  merely  strong  enough  to  work  her. 

On  the  30th  the  fleet  sailed,  the  Essex  and  Essex  Junior 
keeping  in  company,  with  all  the  carpenters  at  work  at  the 
latter.  On  the  4th  of  July  a  general  salute  was  fired,  princi- 
pally with  the  guns  and  ammunition  of  the  enemy.  On  the 
9lh,  the  Essex  Junior  parted  company,  bound  to  Valparaiso, 
with  the  Hector,  Catherine,  Policy,  and  Montezuma,  prizes, 
and  the  Barclay,  recaptured  ship,  under  convoy. 

As  soon  as  out  of  sight  of  the  other  ships,  the  Essex,  Green- 
wich, and  Georgiana  steered  to  the  westward,  with  an  inten- 
tion of  going  among  the  Gallapagos.  On  the  13th,  three  sri' 
were  made  off  Banks'  Bay,  all  on  a  wind,  and  a  good  deal 
separated.  The  Essex  gave  chase  to  the  one  in  th*?  centre, 
which  led  her  down  to  leeward,  leaving  the  Greenwich  and 
Georgiana  a  long  distance  astern  and  to  windward.  While 
the  frigate  was  thus  separated  from  her  prizes,  one  of  the 
strangers  tacked,  and  endeavoured  to  cut  the  latter  off*,  but  the 
Greenwich  hove-to,  got  a  portion  of  the  people  out  of  the 
Georgiana,  and  bore  down  boldly  on  her  adversary  ;  while  the 
Essex  continued  after  the  vessel  she  was  chasing,  which  she 
soon  captured.  This  ship  was  the  English  whaler  Charlton, 
of  274  tons,  10  /juns,  and  21  men.  Throwing  a  crew  into 
her,  the  frigate  immediately  hauled  her  wind. 

It  was  now  ascertained  from  the  prisoners,  that  the  largest 
of  the  strange  ships  was  the  Seringnpatam,  of  357  tons,  14 
guns,  and  near  40  men ;  and  the  smallest,  the  New  Zealander, 
of  259  tons,  8  guns,  and  23  men.  The  Seringapatam  had 
been  built  for  a  cruiser,  and  she  was  probably  the  most  dan- 
gerous vessel  to  the  American  trade  to  the  westward  of  Cape 
Horn.  Captain  Porter  felt  a  corresponding  desire  to  get  pos- 
session of  her,  and  was  much  gratified  with  the  bold  manner 
in  which  the  Greenwich  had  borne  down  on  her.  This  ship 
was  under  the  command  of  a  very  young  officer,  but  ho  had 
the  advice  of  one  of  the  sea-lieutenapts,  who  was  under  sus- 
pension, and  who  behaved  with  great  gallantry  and  spirit  on 
this  occasion.    Closing  with  the  Seringapatam,  the  Essex  he- 


."^■- 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


287 


ing  a  long  distance  to  leeward,  the  Greenwich  brought  her  to 
action,  and  after  a  few  broadsides  the  English  ship  struck. 
Soon  after,  however,  and  before  possession  could  be  taken,  she 
made  an  attempt  to  escape  by  passing  to  windward,  in  which 
she  was  frustrated  by  the  perseverance  of  the  Greenwich, 
which  vessel  kept  close  on  the  enemy's  quarter,  maintaining  a 
spirited  fire,  for  the  number  of  men  on  board.  As  the  Essex 
was  coming  up  fast,  the  Seringapatam  finally  gave  up  tho  at- 
tempt, and  running  down  to  the  frigate,  again  submitted. 

In  this  affair,  as  in  that  of  the  boats,  and  in  the  capture  of 
the  Hector  by  the  Georgiana,  the  officers  and  men  engaged 
merited  high  encomiums  for  their  intrepidity  and  coolness. 
The  Greenwich,  after  obtaining  the  hands  from  the  Georgiana, 
did  not  probably  muster  five-and-twenty  men  at  quarters,  and 
the  Seringapatam  was  much  the  better  ship.  The  New  Zea- 
lander  was  taken  without  any  difficulty. 

The  Seringapatam  had  made  one  prize,  her  master  having 
turned  his  attention  more  to  cruising  than  to  whaling.  On 
inquiry,  notwithstanding,  it  was  found  that  he  had  adopted  this 
course  in  anticipation  of  a  commission,  having  actually  sailed 
without  one.  When  this  fact  was  ascertained,  Captain  Por- 
ter put  the  master  in  irons,  and  he  subsequently  sent  him  to 
America  to  be  tried.  Finding  himself  embarrassed  with  his 
prisoners.  Captain  Porter  gave  the  Charlton  up  to  them,  and 
suffered  them  to  proceed  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  under  parole.  He 
then  took  the  guns  out  of  the  New  Zealander,  and  mounted 
them  in  the  Seringapatam,  by  which  means  he  gave  the  latter 
ship  an  armament  of  22  guns,  though,  as  in  the  cp-^e  of  the 
Greenwich,  her  people  were  barely  sufficient  to  woi.  lor. 

On  the  25th  of  July,  the  Georgiana  was  despatched  to  th«» 
United  States  with  a  full  cargo  of  oil.  As  soon  as  the  vessels 
separated,  the  Essex,  with  the  Greenwich,  Seringapatam,  and 
New  Zealander  in  company,  shaped  her  course  for  Albemarle 
Island.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  another  strange  sail  was 
discovered ;  but  as  she  had  a  fresh  breeze,  and  the  frigate  was 
becalmed,  she  was  soon  out  of  sight.  When  the  whid  came, 
however,  the  Essex  ran  in  a  direction  to  intercept  the  stran- 
ger ;  and  the  next  morning  he  was  again  seen,  from  the  mast- 
head, standing  across  the  Essex's  bows,  on  a  bowline.  As 
the  wind  was  light,  recourse  was  now  had  to  the  drags,  and  the 
ship  got  within  four  miles  of  the  chase,  which  was  evidently 
an  enemy's  whaler.  The  stranger  becoming  alarmed,  got  hia 
boats  ahead  to  tow,  when  Captain  Porter  sent  a  gig  and  whale* 


288 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


ii8ia 


boat,  with  a  few  good  marksmen  in  thorn,  under  Acting  Lieu- 
tenant M'Knight,  with  orders  to  take  u  position  ahead  of  the 
chase,  and  to  drive  in  her  boats,  but  on  no  account  to  attempt 
to  board.  This  duty  was  handsomely  executed,  though  the 
boats  had  great  difficulty  in  maintaining  their  position  within 
musket*8hot,  as  the  enemy  got  two  guns  on  his  forecastle,  and 
kept  up  a  warm  discharge  of  grape. 

At  4  P.  M.,  the  ships  were  little  more  than  a  league  apart, 
perfectly  becalmed,  and  Captain  Porter  ordered  the  boats  into 
the  water,  to  carry  the  stranger  by  boarding.  As  the  party 
drew  near,  the  enemy  commenced  firing,  but,  intimidated  by 
their  steady  and  orderly  approach,  he  soon  lowered  his  ensign. 
The  boats  were  about  to  take  i)08scssion,  when  a  breepze  from 
the  eastward  suddenly  striking  thu  English  ship,  she  hauled 
up  close  on  a  wind,  hoisted  her  colours  again,  fired  at  the  gig 
and  whale-boat  as  she  passed  quite  near  them,  and  went  off, 
at  a  rapid  rate,  to  the  northward.  The  party  attempted  to  fol- 
low, but  it  was  sunset  before  the  Essex  got  the  wind,  and,  un- 
willing to  leave  her  boats  out  in  the  darkness,  she  was  com- 
pelled to  heave-to,  at  9,  in  order  to  hoist  them  in.  The  next 
morning  the  chase  was  out  of  sight. 

This  was  the  first  instance,  since  her  arrival  in  the  Pacific, 
in  which  the  Essex  had  failed  in  getting  alongside  of  a  chase 
that  she  did  ivot  voluntarily  abandon.  It  produced  much  mor- 
tification, though  the  escape  of  the  enemy  was  owing  to  one 
of  those  occurrences,  so  common  in  summer,  that  leave  one 
ship  without  a  breath  of  air,  while  another,  quite  near  her,  has 
a  good  breeze. 

On  the  4th  of  August,  the  ships  went  into  James's  Island 
and  anchored.  Here  Captain  Porter  made  the  important  dis- 
covery that  a  large  portion  of  his  powder  had  been  damaged 
in  doubling  Cape  Horn.  Fortunately,  the  Seringapatam  could 
supply  the  deficiency,  though,  in  doing  so,  that  ship  was  ren- 
dered nearly  defenceless.  On. the  22d  of  August,  all  the  ves- 
sels proceeded  to  Banks'  Bay,  where  the  prizes  were  moored, 
and  the  Essex  sailed  on  a  short  cruise,  alone,  on  the  24th. 

Afler  passing  among  the  islands,  without  meeting  any  thing, 
a  sail  was  discovered  on  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  Septem- 
ber, apparently  lying-to,  a  long  distance  to  the  southward  and 
.  to  windward.  The  Essex  was  immediately  disguised,  by  send- 
ing down  some  of  the  light  yards,  and  the  ship  kept  turning 
to  windward,  under  easy  sail.  At  meridian,  the  vessels  were 
so  near  each  other,  that  the  stranger  was  ascertained  to  be  a 


1813] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


289 


whaler,  in  the  act  of  cutting  in.  Ho  was  evidently  driftlWg; 
down  fust  on  the  frigate.  At  1  P.  M.,  when  the  ships  wer6 
about  four  miles  apart,  the  stran^r  cast  off  the  whales,  and 
made  all  sail  to  windward.  As  it  was  now  evident  that  he 
had  taken  the  alarm,  the  Essex  threw  aside  all  attempts  at  dis- 

guise,  and  pursued  him,  under  every  thing  that  would  draw. 
ly  4  P.  M.,  the  frigate  had  the  stranger  within  reach  of  her 
guns ;  and  a  few  shot,  well  thrown,  brought  him  down  undelr 
her  lee.  This  ship  was  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  of  301 
tons,  12  guns,  and  31  men ;  and  she  proved  to  be  the  vessel 
that  had. escaped,  in  the  manner  previously  related.  Fortu* 
natcly,  the  prize  had  a  largo  supply  of  excellent  beef,  pork, 
bread,  wood,  and  water,  and  the  Essex  got  out  of  her  an  am* 
pie  stock  of  those  great  necessaries.  On  returning  to  Banks* 
Bay  with  her  prize,  the  ship  shortly  after  was  jomed  by  the 
Essex  Junior,  on  her  return  from  Valparaiso.  By  this  arrival, 
Captain  Porter  discovered  that  several  enemy's  vessels  of  forde 
had  sailed  in  pursuit  of  him ;  and  having  by  this  time  captured 
nearly  all  the  English  whalers  of  which  he  could  obtain  intel- 
ligence, he  determined  to  proceed  to  the  Marquesas,  in  order 
to  refit,  and  to  make  his  preparations  for  returning  to  America. 
He  was  urged  to  adopt  this  resolution,  also,  by  understanding 
from  Mr.  Downes  that  the  government  of  Chili  no  longer  pr6- 
served  the  appearance  of  amity  towards  the  United  States,  but 
was  getting  to  be  English  in  its  predilections. 


CHAPTER  XXXir. 


On  the  23d  of  October  th*  group  of  the  Marquesas  W6s 
made  from  the  mast-head  of  the  Essex,  and  after  passing 
among  the  islands  for  a  few  days.  Captain  Porter  took  his  ships 
into  a  fine  bay  of  Nooaheevah,  where  he  anchored.  Here  ho 
was  soon  after  joined  by  the  Essex  Junior,  Which  vessel  hatd 
parted  company  to  cruise,  When  he  believed  himself  sufficiently 
secure,  to  comrawice  a  regular  overhauliA^g  of  the  different; 
ships. 

The  situation  of  the  Esse:lc  was  sufficiently  remarkable,  at 
this  moment,  to  merit  a  brief  notice.  More  than  ten  thousand 
25 


Br 


290 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


N 


miles  from  homo,  without  colonics,  stations,  or  even  a  really 
friendly  port  to  repair  to,  short  of  stores,  without  a  consort, 
and  otherwise  in  possession  of  none  of  the  required  meuns  of 
subsistence  and  efficiency,  she  had  boldly  steered  into  this  dis- 
tant region,  where  she  had  found  all  that  she  required,  through 
her  own  activity ;  and  having  swept  the  seas  of  her  enemies, 
she  had  now  retired  to  these  little-frequented  islands  to  refit,  with 
the  security  of  a  ship  at  homo.  It  is  duo  to  the  officer,  who 
80  promptly  adopted,  and  so  successfully  executed  this  plan, 
to  add,  that  his  enterprise,  self-reliance,  and  skill,  indicated  a 
man  of  bold  and  masculine  conception,  of  great  resources, 
and  of  a  high  degree  of  moral  courage  ;  qualities  that  are  in- 
dispensable in  forming  a  naval  captain. 

The  island  of  Nooahecvah,  on  which  Captain  Porter  landed 
his  stores,  was  intersected  by  valleys,  and  different  tribes  pos- 
sessed them,  forming  distinct  communities,  which  not  unfre- 
quently  waged  war  on  each  other,  converting  this  little  and 
retired  fragment  of  the  earth  into  an  epitome  of  the  passions 
and  struggles  of  the  world  beyond  it.  In  consequence  of  his 
intimate  connexion  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  valley  in  which 
he  was  accidentally  thrown.  Captain  Porter  was  compelled  to 
join  in  these  hostilities,  the  assailants  of  his  allies  beginning  to 
treat  him  as  an  enemy.  Afler  some  fruitless  negotiating,  a 
party  was  sent  against  the  hostile  tribe,  and  several  conflicts 
occurred,  in  which  the  armed  seamen  and  marines  prevailed, 
as  a  matter  of  course,  though  not  without  a  sharp  resistance. 
This  success  quieted  the  island ;  and  during  the  remainder  of 
his  stay,  Captain  Porter  appears  to  have  been  unmolested. 

It  has  been  seen,  that  the  Essex  reached  he  Marquesas  at 
the  close  of  October,  and  in  the  early  part  of  December  sho 
was  again  ready  for  sea.  In  the  course  of  November,  the  New 
Zealander  was  filled  with  oil,  from  the  other  prizes,  and  des- 
patched for  America,  under  the  charge  of  a  master's  mate. 
Shortly  afler,  a  fort  was  constructed  on  a  small  conical  hill, 
near  the  water,  when  the  Seringapatam,  Sir  Andrew  Hammond, 
and  Greenwich,  were  warped  close  in,  and  moored  under  its 
guns.  The  command  of  this  fort  was  given  to  Lieutenant  John 
M.  Gamble,  of  the  marines,  a  spirited  and  intelligent  young 
officer ;  and  Messrs.  Feltus  and  Clapp,  two  of  the  midshipmen, 
with  twenty-one  men,  were  put  under  his  orders,  having  vo- 
lunteered to  remain  on  the  island  during  the  contemplated 
cruise  of  the  Essex.  This  arrangement  was  made  to  secure 
the  means  of  future  repairs,  as  it  was  now  believed  that  no 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


291 


more  whalers  were  to  bo  found,  and  the  Essex  was  going  to 
mix,  in  the  exiKictation  of  meeting  one  of  the  frigates  that  it 
wus  known  hud  been  sent  into  the  Pacific,  in  pursuit  of  her. 

Tho  Essex,  and  Essex  Junior,  quitted  the  harbour  of  Nooa- 
hccvah,  on  tho  12th  of  December,  1813,  bound  for  tho  coast 
of  South  Americo,  which  was  made  early  in  January.  Atlor 
watering  at  San  Maria,  and  looking  into  Concopcion,  tho  ships 
proceeded  to  Valparaiso.  Up  to  this  time,  not  a  dollar  had 
•  been  drawn  for,  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  frigate.  The  ene- 
my had  furnished  provisions,  sails,  cordage,  medicines,  guns, 
anchors,  cables,  and  slops.  A  considerable  amount  oi  pay 
even  had  been  given  to  the  officers  and  men,  by  means  of  the 
money  taken  in  the  Nocton.  Thus  far,  tho  cruise  had  been 
singularly  useful  and  fortunate,  affording  an  instance  of  the 
perfection  of  naval  warfare,  in  all  that  relates  to  distressing  an 
enemy,  with  the  least  possible  charge  to  the  assailants  ,*  and  it 
remained  only  to  terminate  it  with  a  victory,  over  a  ship  of 
equal  force,  to  render  it  brilliant.  It  is,  perhaps,  a  higher  eu- 
logium  on  the  officers  and  crew  of  this  memorable  little  frigate 
to  add,  that  while  her  good  fortune  appeared  at  last  to  desert 
her,  they  gave  this  character  to  their  enterprise,  by  the  manner 
in  which  they  struggled  with  advei'sity. 

After  the  arrival  at  Valparaiso,  it  was  found  that  the  feelings 
of  the  Chilian  government  had  taken  an  entirely  new  direction, 
as  had  been  reported  by  Mr.  Downes,  favouring  on  all  occa- 
sions the  interests  of  the  English,  in  preforence  to  those  of  the 
Americans.  Without  paying  much  regard  to  this  circumstance, 
however.  Captain  Porter  determined  to  remain  in,  or  off,  the 
port,  in  waiting  for  the  Phoebe  36,  Captain  Hillyar,  onr  of  the 
ships  sent  out  in  quest  of  him,  under  the  impression  that  her 
commander  would  not  fail,  sooner  or  later,  to  seek  him  at  that 
place.  There  was  also  tho  prospect  of  intercepting  such  of  the 
English  traders  as  might  happen  to  touch  at  the  port. 

The  Phoebe  arrived  as  was  expected,  but  instead  of  coming 
alone,  she  had  the  Cherub  20,  Captain  Tucker,  in  company. 
When  these  ships  hove  in  sight,  the  Essex  Junior  was  cruising 
off  the  harbour,  and  she  came  in  and  anchored.  As  the  PhcEbe 
alone  was  a  vessel  of  a  heavier  rate  than  the  Essex,  this  addi- 
tion to  her  force  put  a  conflict  between  the  four  ships  quite  out 
of  the  question.  Captain  Porter,  who  had  every  opportunity  of 
observing  the  armaments  of  the  two  English  vessels,  states,  in 
his  official  communications  to  the  department,  that  the  Phoebe 
mounted  30  long  eighteens,  16  thirty-two-pound  carronades, 


OKsm 


atBan 


rMf« 


..,|-:j^-..,r 


S92 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y. 


[1813. 


* 


with  one  howitzer,  and  6  threes  in  her  tops.  This  was  a  forced 
equipment  for  a  ship  of  her  rate,  but  she  had  probably  taken 
in  extra  guns  with  a  view  to  meet  the  Essex.  Her  crew  is  said  to 
have  consisted  of  320  souls.  The  Cherub  20  mounted  18  thirty - 
two  pound  carronades  below,  with  8  twenty-four  pound  car- 
ronades  and  2  long  nines  above,  making  a  total  of  28  guns,  and 
her  crew  mustered  180  men  and  boys.  In  consequence  of  the 
number  of  pri:?es  that  had  been  manned,  some  deaths  that  had 
occurred,  and  the  people  placed  in  the  Essex  Junior,  the  Ame- 
rican frigate  could  muster  but  255  souls,  notwithstanding  the 
enlistcients  she  had  made  from  the  whalers.  The  force  of  the 
Essex  Junior  was  too  inconsiderable  to  be  relied  on,  in  an  ac- 
tion against  ships  of  n  metal  as  heavy  as  that  of  the  enemy. 
She  mounted  10  eighteen-pound  carronades  and  10  short  sixes, 
with  ft  crew  of  60  souls.  Her  guns  would  have  been  of  little 
[^rvice  in  a  frigate  action. 

As  the  Phoebe  came  in,  the  wind  was  light,  and  she  passed 
qqite  near  the  Essex,  with  her  people  at  quarters.  Captain 
H^Uyar  hailed,  and  inquired  after  the  health  of  Captain  Porter. 
4.ft<er  njaking  the  usual  reply,  the  latter  informed  the  English 
Placer  that  if  the  vessels  got  foul,  much  confusion  would  ensue, 
and  that  he  could  not  be  answerable  for  the  consequences. 
Captain  Hillyar  now  observed  that  he  did  not  meditate  any  at- 
tack, though  the  manner  in  which  this  was  uttered,  does  not 
appear  to  have  quieted  the  suspicions  of  the  American  officers. 
While  the  two  vessels  and  their  crews  were  in  this  novel  posi- 
tion, the  Phoebe  was  taken  suddenly  aback,  and  her  bows 
payed  off  directly  upon  the  Essex.  Captain  Porter  immediately 
called  away  his  boarders,  and  for  a  few  minutes  there  was 
every  appearance  of  a  combat  in  a  neutral  port. 

A  great  deal  of  confusion  is  said  to  have  existed  on  board 
the  Phoebe,  and  her  commander  was  earnest  in  his  protesta- 
tions of  an  intention  not  to  have  recourse  to  hostilities,  while 
he  handled  his  yards  in  a  way  to  get  a  stern-board  on  his  ship. 
As  she  fell  off,  the  jib-boom  of  the  Phoebe  passed  over  the 
Essex's  deck,  and  she  lay,  for  a  short  time,  with  her  bows  ex- 
posed to  the  whole  broadside  of  the  American  frigate,  and  her 
stern  to  that  of  the  Essex  Juniox'.  Captain  Porter  declining  to 
profit  by  his  advantage,  the  Phoebe  was  enabled  to  get  out  of 
her  awkward  situation,  there  being  no  doubt  that  she  had  lain 
entirely  at  the  rpercy  of  her  enemies.  There  can  be  little 
question  that  this  extraordinary  occurrence  would  have  fully 


1 


I 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


293 


was 


justified  the  American  ship  in  having  recourse  to  her  means 
of  Hp^hace. 

The  English  ships,  having  obtained  some  supplies,  went 
outside  and  cruised  off  Valparaiso  for  six  weeks.  During  this 
time,  the  Essex  made  several  Attempts  to  engage  the  Phoebe 
alone,  sometimes  by  bringing*  her  to  action  with  the  Essex 
Junior  in  company,  and  at  others,  by  bringing  her  to  action 
singly,  having  the  crew  of  the  Essex  Junior  on  board  the  fri- 
gate. Captain  Porter  ascertained  to  his  satisfaction,  that  he 
could  easily  outsail  either  of  the  enemy's  vessels, 'but  his 
object  was  not  so  much  to  escape,  as  to  capture  the  Phoebe, 
which  he  had  reason  to  think  he  might  do,  could  he  bring  her 
to  close  action,  without  her  consort's  interference. 

A  short  time  after  the  blockade  had  commenced.  Captain 
Porter  determined  to  make  an  attempt  on  the  Cherub  by  board- 
ing. A  strong  party  was  detailed  for  this  service,  Captain 
Porter  and  Lieutenant  Downes  both  accompanying  it.  The 
boats  went  out  at  night,  and  at  first  had  strong  hopes  of  hieing 
able  to  get  alongside  of  the  enemy ;  but,  by  the  subsequent 
movements  of  the  Cherub,  the  Americans  were  induced  to  think 
that  the  English  received  an  intimation  of  their  intention  in  the 
course  of  the  night. 

Having  heard  that  several  other  cruisers  of  the  enemy  might 
soon  be  expected,  Captain  Porter  now  determined  to  go  to  sea, 
on  the  first  good  occasion,  and  by  leaving  the  Phoebe  and 
Cherub  oflf  the  coast,  to  allow  the  Essex  Junior  to  follow. 
This  plan  was  formed  on  the  27th  of  March.  The  very  next 
day  the  wifid  came  on  to  blow  fresh  from  the  southward,  when 
the  Essex  parted  her  larboard  bower,  and  dragged  the  other 
anchor  directly  out  to  sea.  The  harbour  of  Valparaiso  opens 
to  the  northward,  being  formed  by  a  headland  on  its  .western 
side,  and  a  cove  that  makes  to  the  southward  within  it ;  the 
main  coast  sweeping  round  to  the  north  and  east  again,  afford- 
ing the  necessary  protection.  On  the  28th  of  March,  when 
the  accident  just  mentioned  occurred,  the  enemy's  ships  were 
at  no  great  distance  off  the  point,  though  far  enough  to  allow 
the  Essex  to  fetch  past  to  windward  of  them,  by  hugging  the 
land.  The  Point  of  Angels,  however,  is  an  exceedingly  dan- 
gerous bluff  to  double,  and  most  ships  deem  it  prudent  to  reef 
before  going  round  it,  on  account  of  the  liability  to  sudden  and 
violent  squalls. 

As  there  was  no  time  to  lose,  sail  was  got  on  the  Essex. 
On  opening  the  enemy,  Captain  Porter  took  in  his  topgallant- 
25* 


•  X- 


'■-f^---!r 


294 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


1 


N 


s^ils,  hauM  close  l)y  the  wiad^  and  made  an  attempt  to  pass 
out,  by  keeping  his  weatherly  position.  Every  thiqg  looked 
promising  for  a  short  time ;  and  there  is  little  question  that  the 
ship  wpuld  have  gone  clear,  but,  in  doubling  the  headland,  a 
squa}^  carried  away  the  mQin>topmast,  throwing  several  men 
into  the  sea,  all  of  whom  were 'drowned.  Nothing  remained, 
Qf  course,  but  to  endeavour  to  regain  the  port,  or  to  fight  both 
the  enemy's  ships,  under  the  additional  disadvantage  of  being 
already  crippled. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  beat  up  to  the  common  anchorage, 
Capte^in  Porter  stood  across  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  to  its 
northeastern  side,  where  he  let  go  ap. anchor,  about  three  miles 
from  the  town,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Castello  Viego, 
which*  hov/ever,  was  concealed  by  a  bluff,  half  a  mile  from  a 
detached  battery  of  one  twenty-four-pound  gup,  and  within 
pistol-shot  of  the  shore.  Notwithstanding  this  position,  the 
enemy  continued  tp  approach,  and  it  soon  became  evident,  by 
the  motto  nags  and  jacks  he  set,  that  it  was  his  serious  intcn- 
tiop  to  er^gage.  The  Elssex,  in  consequence,  cleared  for  action, 
aqd  attempted  to  get  a  spring  on  her  cable,  but  had  not  suc- 
ceeded in  eifecting  this  important  object,  when  the  Phcebe, 
having  obtained  an  advantageous  position,  nearly  astern,  about 
4  P.  M.  opened  her  fire,  at  long  shot.  At  the  same  time,  the 
Cherub  commenced  the  action  on  the  starboard  bow.  The  fire 
•of  the  Phosbe,  from  the  double  advantage  she  possessed  in  her 
long  guns  and  her  station,  became  very  destructive,  as  scarce 
^  gun  from  the  Essex  could  touch  her.  The  Cherqb,  however, 
was  soon  driven  off,  when  she  ran  down  to  leeward,  and  cn- 
.  gaged  from  a  position  near  that  taken  by  the  Phoebe.  Three 
long  twelves  were  got  out  aft,  and  they  played  with  so  much 
effect  on  the  enemy,  that  at  the  end  of  half  an  hour,  both  his 
.  ships  hauled  off  the  land  to  repair  damages.  This  important 
fact,  which  is  affirmed  by  the  Americans,  is  sufficiently  cor- 
roborated by  the  accounts  of  the  enemy. 

D  ring  this  first  attack,  the  Essex,  through  the  great  exer- 
tions pf  the  master  and  boatswain,  had  succeeded  in  getting 
springs  on  the  cable  no  less  than  three  different  times,  but 
before  the  ship's  broadside  could  be  sprung  to  bear,  they  were 
as  often  shot  away.  The  ship  also  received  a  great  deal  of 
injury,  and  several  men  had  been  killed  and  wounded.  Not- 
withstanding all  the  disastrous  circumstances  under  which  they 
engaged,  and  the  superior  force  opposed  to  them,  the  officers 
and,cre>Y  of  the  Essex  were  q,nimated  by  the  best  spirit,  and  it 


1814.] 


NAYAL    HISTOR  T. 


295 


was  not  possible  for  efforts  to  be  more  coolly  made,  or  better 
directed. 

The  enemy  was  not  long  in  making  his  repairs,  and  both 
ships  next  took  a  position  on  the  starboard  quarter  of  tbe 
Essex,  where  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  the  latter  vessel  to 
bring  a  single  gun  to  bear  upon  them,  as  they  were  too  distant 
to  be  reached  by  carronades.  Their  fire  was  very  galling,  and 
it  led  no  alternative  to  Captain  Porter,  between  submission, 
and  running  down  to  assail  them.  He  gallantly  decided  on 
the  latter.  But,  by  this  time,  the  Essex  had  received  many 
serious  injuries,  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  her  topmast.  Her 
topsail  sheets,  topsail  halyards,  jib  and  fore-topmast  staysail 
halyards,  had  all  been  shot  away.  The  only  sail  that  could  be 
got  upon  the  ship,  to  make  her  head  pay  offj  was  the  flying 
jib,  which  was  hoisted,  when  the  cable  was  cut,  and  the  vessel 
edged  away,  with  the  intention  of  laying  the  Phoebe  aboard. 

The  fore-topsail  and  foresail  were  now  let  fall,  though,  for 
want  of  tacks  and  sheets,  they  were  nearly  useless.  Still  the 
Essex  drove  down  on  her.  -assailants,  closing  near  enough  to 
open  with  her  carronades.  For  a  few  minutes,  the  firing  on 
both  sides  was  tremendous,  the  people  of  the  Essex  proving 
their  discipline  and  gallantry,  at  that  trying  moment,  in  a  way 
to  justify  all  the  high  expectations  that  had  been  formed  of 
therh,  though  their  decks  were  already  strewed  with  killed,  and 
the  cockpit  was  crowded  with  the  wounded.  This  work  proved 
too  hot  for  the  Cherub,  which  hauled  oflT  a  second  time,  nor 
did  she  come  near  enough  to  use  her  carronades  again,  during 
the  remainder  of  the  action,  keeping  up  a  distant  fire  with  her 
long  guns. 

The  Phoebe  showed  no  disposition  to  throw  away  the  im- 
mense advantage  she  possessed,  in  her  long  eightcens;  and 
when  she  found  the  Essex's  fire  becoming  warm,  she  kept 
edging  off,  throwing  her  shot  at  the  sr.me  time  with  fatal  effect, 
cutting  down  the  people  of  her  antagonist  almost  with  impunity 
to  herself.  By  this  time,  many  of  the  guns  of  the  American  ship 
were  disabled,  and  the  crews  of  several  had  been  swept  away. 
One  particular  gun  was  a  scene  of  carnage  that  is  seldom  wit- 
nessed in  a  naval  combat,  nearly  three  entire  crews  falling  at 
it  in  the  course  of  the  action.  Its  captain  alone  escaped  with 
a  slight  wound. 

This  scene  of  almost  unresisted  carnage  had  now  lasted 
nearly  two  hours,  and,  finding  it  impossible  to  close  with  his 
adversary,  who  chose  his  distance  at  pleasure.  Captain  Porter 


r 


290 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1814. 


'  i; 


felt  tho  necessity  of  taking  somo  piompt  measure,  if  ho  would 
prevent  Iho  enemy  from  getting  possession  of  his  ship.  Tiio 
wind  had  got  more  to  tho  westward,  and  ho  saw  a  hopt!  of 
running  her  nshort;,  pt  a  spot  whore  ho  might  hmd  his  people 
and  set  her  on  firo.  For  a  few  minute,^  every  thing  appeared 
to  favour  this  design,  and  tho  Essex  had  driHed  within  musltet- 
shot  of  the  beach,  when  tho  wind  suddenly  shillcd  from  tho 
land,  paying  the  ship's  head  broad  off,  in  a  way  to  leave  her 
exposed  to  a  dreadful  raking  tire.  Still,  as  she  was  again 
closing  with  tho  Phn^be,  Captain  Porter  indulged  a  lK)p(5  of 
finally  laying  that  ship  aboard.  At  this  moment.  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Downes  came  on  board  of  tho  Essex,  in  order  to 
receive  the  orders  of  his  commanding  officer,  having  pulled 
through  all  tho  firo  in  order  to  effect  this  object.  He  could  bo 
of  no  use,  for  the  enemy  again  put  his  helm  up,  and  kept 
away,  when  Mr.  Downes,  after  remaining  in  the  Essex  ten 
minutes,  was  directed  to  return  to  his  own  ship,  and  to  make 
preparations  to  defend,  or,  at  need,  to  destroy  lier.  On  going 
awoy,  he  carried  off  several  of  tho  Essex's  woimded,  hjaving 
three  of  his  own  men  Ixjhind  him,  in  order  to  make  room  in 
tho  boat. 

Tho  slaughter  in  tho  Essex  having  got  to  bo  horrible,  tho 
enemy  firing  with  deliberation,  and  hulling  her  at  almost  every 
shot,  Captain  Porter,  as  u  last  resort,  ordered  a  hawser  to  bo 
bent  to  the  sheet-anchor,  and  the  latter  let  go,  in  order  to  bring 
the  head  of  the  ship  round.  This  eflected  the  object,  and  once 
more  the  Americans  got  their  broadside  to  bear,  remaining 
stationary  themselves,  while  their  enemy,  a  good  deal  cri[)pled, 
was  drifting  slowly  to  leeward.  Even  in  these  desperate  cir- 
cumstances, a  ray  of  hope  gleamed  through  this  littlo  advantage, 
and  Captain  Porter  was  beginning  to  believe  that  the  Ph«;be 
would  drift  out  of  gun-shot,  Ixjfore  she  discovered  his  expedient, 
when  the  hawser  parted  with  tho  strain. 

There  was  no  longer  any  chance  of  saving  tho  ship.  To 
add  to  her  distress,  she  was  on  fire,  the  flames  coming  up  both 
the  main  and  forward  hotchways ;  and  for  a  few  minutes  it 
was  thought  she  must  consume.  An  explosion  of  powder  also 
occurred  below,  to  add  to  the  horrors  of  the  scene,  and  Captain 
Porter  told  his  people,  that  in  preference  to  being  blown  up, 
nil  who  chose  to  incur  the  risk,  might  make  thft  attempt  to 
reach  the  shore  by  swimming.  Many  availed  themselves  of 
the  permission,  and  some  succeeded  in  eflccting  their  escape. 
Others  perished,  while  a  fewy  after  drifting  about  on  bits  of 


1814.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


297 


Spurs,  wore  picked  up  by  tho  iKiatM  of  tbo  ciioniy.  Much  tlio 
grcutcr  purt  of  tho  crow,  iKjwovor,  roinMinofl  in  tlio  Nhi|i,  uiid 
thoy  8ct  ubuut  uii  uttoinnt  tu  uxtiiiuuigh  tho  (luinoa  ;  tho  shot  of 
tho  onouiy  comtiiiUing  ittt  havoc  tho  whulu  tiiiio.  I'ortuiiuttily, 
tho  lire  v/OH  gut  undur,  when  the  lew  bruvu  men  wtio  wore  loit, 
went  again  tu  the  hing  gunu. 

The  tnutnent  had  now  arrived,  when  Coptain  Porter  waa  tu 
d(!(.ido  l)etwoen  HubmisHion  or  tho  dentruction  oi'  tho  roniuinder 
ofhiH  peu|ilu.  In  tho  midst  ui'thiM  wiMVi  of  slaughter,  ho  hud 
iiiruHoli'  l^eon  untuuclicd,  and  it  would  Hoorn  that  he  folt  himsoir 
called  on  to  resist  as  long  as  his  own  strength  allowed.  But 
his  remaining  people  entreated  him  to  remember  his  wounded, 
and  he  at  last  consented  to  summon  his  olKcers.  Only  one, 
Acting  Lieutenant  M'Knight,  could  join  him  on  the  quarter* 
deck  I  The  lirst  lieutenant,  Mr.  Wilmcr,  had  been  knocked 
overboard  by  a  splinter,  and  drowned,  while  getting  the  sheet* 
anchor  from  the  Ixiws  ;  Acting  Lieutenant  Cowell,  the  next,  in 
rank,  was  mortally  wounded  ;  Acting  Lieutenant  Odenheimer 
Iiud  just  been  knocked  overboard  irom  tho  quarter,  and  did 
not  regain  t^io  vessel  for  several  minutes.  The  reports  of  the 
state  of  tho  ship  were  fearful.  A  large  portion  of  the  guns 
were  disabled,  even  had  there  been  men  loll  to  fight  them; 
Tho  berth-deck,  steerage,  ward-room,  and  cock-pit,  were  full 
of  wounded ;  and  the  latter  were  even  killed  by  shot  while 
under  tho  surgeon's  hands.  Tho  carpenter  was  sent  for,  and 
he  stated  that  of  his  crew,  he  alone  could  perform  any  duty. 
He  had  been  over  the  side  to  stop  shot-holes,  when  his  slings 
were  cut  away,  and  he  narrowly  escaped  drowning.  In  shor% 
seventy-five  men,  officers  included,  were  all  that  remained  for 
duty ;  and  tho  enemy,  in  perfectly  smooth  water,  was  firing  his 
long  eighteens,  at  a  nearly  unresisting  ship,  with  as  much  pre* 
cisiun  as  he  could  have  discharged  them  at  a  torgct.  It  had 
become  an  imperative  duty  to  strike,  and  the  colcjurs  were  ac- 
cordingly hauled  down,  afler  one  of  the  most  remarkable  com* 
bats  that  is  to  Ix)  found  in  the  history  of  naval  warfare. 

In  this  bloody  contest,  tho  Essex  had  58  men  killed,  in* 
eluding  those  who  soon  died  of  their  hurts,  and  66  wounded  ; 
making  a  total  of  124,  or  nearly  half  of  all  who  were  on  board 
at  the  commencement  of  the  action.  Of  the  missing  there 
were  31,  most  of  whom  were  probably  drowned,  either  in  at- 
tempting to  swim  ashore,  when  the  ship  was  on  fire,  or  by 
being  knocked  overboard  by  the  splinters,  or  pieces  of  tho 


298 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1814. 


rigging.  Including  the  missing,  the  entire  loss  was  152,  out 
of  255. 

The  Essex,  with  a  very  trifling  exception  while  closing, 
fought  this  battle  with  her  six  long  twelves,  opposed  by  fifteen 
long  eighteens  in  broadside,"^  the  long  guns  of  the  Cherub, 
and,  a  good  deal  of  the  time,  or  while  they  lay  on  her  quarter, 
by  the  carronades  of  both  the  enemy's  ships.  Captain  Hill- 
yar's  published  official  letter  makes  the  loss  of  the  Phoebe  4 
killed  and  7  wounded ;  that  of  the  Cherub,  1  killed  and  3 
wounded.  There  is  no  apparent  reason  for  distrusting  this 
ftccouut,  as  Captain  Hillyar's  official  letter  was  singularly 
modest  and  just.  Captain  Tucker,  of  the  Cherub,was  wounded, 
and  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Phoebe  was  killed.  The  English 
ships  were  cut  up  more  than  could  have  been  expected  under 
the  circumstances,  the  latter  having  received  no  less  than 
eighteen  twelve-pound  shot  below  the  water-line.  It  would 
segm  that  the  smoothness  of  the  water  rendered  the  fire  very 
certain,  on  both  sides,  and  it  is  only  to  be  regretted  that  the 
Essex  could  not  have  engaged  under  her  three  topsails,  from 
the  commencement.  The  engagement  lasted  nearly  two  hours 
and  a  half,  the  long  guns  of  the  Essex,  it  is  said,  having  been 
fired  no  less  than  seventy-five  times  each,  in  broadside.  The 
enemy  must  have  thrown,  agreeably  to  the  statements  made 
at  the  time,  not  less  than  700  eighteen-pound  shot,  at  the 
Essex. 

The  battle  was  witnessed  by  thousands  from  the  shore ;  and 
so  near  were  all  the  ships  to  the  land,  that,  at  one  time,  many 
of  the  Phoebe's  eighteen-pound  shot  struck  the  beach.  This 
fact  appears  to  be  well  authenticated,  and,  of  itself,  it  settles 
the  question  of  a  violation  of  the  neutrality  of  Chili ;  since 
even  they  who  maintain  the  doctrine  that  jurisdiction  does  not 
properly  extend  three  leagues  to  sea,  substitute  the  greatest 
range  of  a  shot,  or  a  shell,  in  their  place.  During  the  action, 
Mr.  Poinsett,  the  American  consul,  repaired  to  the  goveraor's 
and  asked  the  protection  of  the  batteries  in  behalf  of  the  Es- 
sex. He  received  the  evasive  answer,  that,  should  the  ship 
succeed  in  reaching  the  ordinary  anchorage,  an  oflScer  would 
be  sent  to  the  British  commander,  requesting  him  to  cease  his 
fire.     The  governor,  however,  declined  resorting  to  force,  un- 

*  It  has  been  said  that  th^  Phcebe  mounted  but  26  long  eighteens,  her 
upper-deck  long  guns  having  been  twelves.  We  have  followed  Captain 
Porter's  account,  though  the  difference,  under  the  peculiar  circumstauces-, 
was  of  no  great  moment. 


■•^.■■•^-rf':r'"--x'i 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


299. 


der  any  circumstances.  This  conduct  left  no  doubt  of  a  col- 
lusion between  the  English  officers  and  the  local  authorities, 
and  Mr.  Poinsett  took  the  first  occasion  to  quit  the  country. 

In  the  mode  in  which  he  fought  his  ship,  though  it  was  much 
criticised  at  the  time,  Captain  Hillyar  discovered  seamanship 
and  a  strict  attention  to  his  duty ;  but  his  situation  must  have 
been  in  the  last  degree  painful,  while  compelled  to  avoid  meet- 
ing the  Essex  singly,  under  circumstances  that  admit  of  no 
other  plausible  construction  than  an  obedience  to  the  most 
rigid  orders. 

Captain  Porter  now  entered  into  an  arrangement  with  Cap- 
tain Hillyar,  under  the  provisions  of  which,  the  Essex  Junior 
was  converted  into  a  cartel,  and  a  passport  was  given,  by 
means  of  which  all  the  survivors  of  the  Essex  came  home. 
From  this  arrangement,  however.  Acting  Lieutenant  M'Knight, 
Mr.  Adams,  the  chaplain,  and  Mr.  Lyman,  a  master's  mate, 
were  exempted ;  these  three  gentlemen,  and  eleven  seamen, 
being  exchanged  on  the  spot,  for  a  part  of  the  people  of  the 
Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  who  were  then  prisoners  in  the  Essex 
Junior.  Mr.  M'Knight  and  Mr.  Lyman  went  round  to  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  in  the  Phoebe,  in  order  to  give  some  testimony  in  be- 
half of  the  captors.  We  shall  have  occasion  to  advert  to  the 
two  last  hereafter. 

The  Essex  Junior  left  Valparaiso  shortly  after  this  arrange- 
ment, encountering  no  difficulty  in  doubiing  the  Horn.  &ne 
was  brought-to,  off  New  York,  by  the  Saturn  rasee.  Captain 
Nash.  This  officer  questioned  the  authority  of  Captain  Hill- 
yar to  grant  the  passport,  under  which  the  Essex  Junior  was 
sailing,  and  he  directed  that  ship  to  lie  by  him  during  the 
night.  After  some  communications,  the  next  morning,  when 
thirty  miles  from  the  beach.  Captain  Porter  put  off  in  a  whale- 
boat,  and,  though  chased,  by  pulling  vigorously  for  the  land, 
he  got  ashore  on  Long  Island,  escaping  in  a  fog.  It  does  not 
appear,  however,  to  have  been  the  intention  of  Captain  Nash 
seriously  to  detain  the  Essex  Junior.  He  probably  distrusted 
some  artifice,  as  he  permitted  the  ship  to  proceed,  after  again 
examining  her  papers. 

Thus  terminated  this  enterprising  and  singular  cruise,  its 
end  proving  as  disastrous  as  its  commencement  had  been  for- 
tunate, though  it  was,  at  all  times,  highly  creditable  to  the 
spirit,  resources,  self-reliance,  and  zeal  of  those  engaged  in  it. 
Before  quitting  the  subject,  however,  it  remains  to  give  a  brief 
account  of  the  fortunes  of  the  officers  and  men  left  at  Nooa- 


•^fmimmtimm 


I 


300 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1814. 


heevah,  with  the  three  prizes,  the  Greenwich,  the  Sir  Andrew 
Hammond,  and  the  Seringapatam,  under  the  orders  of  Lieu- 
tenant Gamble  of  the  marines. 

The  Essex  had  no  sooner  disappeared  than  the  savages  be- 
gan to  pilfer,  and  to  betray  a  turbulent  disposition.  Mr.  Gam- 
ble was  compelled  to  land  a  party,  and  to  bring  the  natives  to 
terms  by  a  show  of  force.  Fortunately  this  object  was  effected 
without  firing  a  musket.  In  February,  one  of  the  small  party 
left  was  drowned,  reducing  their  number  to  twenty-two,  the 
officers  included.  Not  long  after  this  event,  four  of  the  men 
deserted  in  a  whale-boat,  carrying  off  with  them  several  small 
articles  of  value.    But  eighteen  now  remained. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  Mr.  Gamble  began  to  rig  the  Seringa- 
patam  and  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  with  the  intention  of 
quitting  the  islands,  the  long  absence  of  the  Essex  inducing 
him  to  despair  of  her  return.  Some  symptoms  of  a  mutiny 
now  began  to  show  themselves,  and  he  had  all  the  arms  and 
ammunition  brought  on  board  the  Greenwich,  in  which  vessel 
he  lived ;  but  having  occasion  to  be  on  boarid  the  Seringapa- 
tam,  on  the  7th  of  May,  a  party  of  six  men  rose,  and  took  the 
ship  from  him.  During  the  time  Mr.  Gamble  was  in  the  hands 
of  these  men,  he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  foot  by  a  pistol- 
ball,  and  they  succeeded  in  carrying  off  the  Seringapatam, 
sending  the  officer,  and  the  people  with  him,  on  board  another 
vessel. 

Every  exertion  Was  made  to  get  to  sea  with  the  Sir  Andrew 
Hammond,  but  on  the  9th,  the  natives  made  an  attack,  and 
Mr.  Feltus,  with  three  men,  was  killed,  and  one  other  was  se- 
verely wounded.  The  situation  of  those  that  remained,  now 
became  exceedingly  critical,  the  whole  party  consisting  of  only 
eight  individuals,  of  whom  two  were  l«dly  wounded,  one  wag 
a  cripple,  and  another  was  just  recovering  from  a  serious  at- 
tack of  the  scurvy.  In  fact,  there  were  but  four  men  on  board 
the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond  fit  for  duty.  The  jib  and  spanker 
were  bent  as  fast  as  possible,  the  moorings  were  cut,  and,  un- 
dei"  that  short  sail,  the  ship  passed  slowly  out  to  sea,  under 
cover  of  the  night.  When  safe  in  the  offing,  but  six  cartridges 
were  left,  the  Seringapatam  having  carried  off  most  of  the 
ammunition  in  kegs. 

To  add  to  the  difficulties  of  his  situation,  Mr.  Gamble  had 
no  chart.  He  made  out  to  reach  the  Sandwich  Islands,  how- 
ever, in  seventeen  days,  where  he  was  captured  by  the  Cherub, 
and  first  learned  the  fate  of  the  Essex.    The  Americans  con- 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


301 


linued  seven  months  in  this  ship,  until  they  were  landed  at 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  from  which  port  Mr.  Gamble  got  to  New  York, 
late  in  August,  1816. 


CHAPTER  XXXIII, 


|e  had 

how- 

lerub, 

con* 


It  has  been  seen,  that  the  declaration  of  war  found  the  naval 
preparations  in  so  imperfect  a  condition,  that  the  Constellation 
38,  Chesapeake  38,  and  Adams  28,  were  not  ready  even  to 
receive  crews,  while  it  was  found  necessary  to  rebuild  entirely 
the  New  York  36,  Boston  28,  and  General  Greene  28.  The 
appropriations  for  the  repairs  of  the  three  first  ships  having  been 
made  in  March,  1812,  the  Constellation  was  equipped  and 
manned  at  Washington,  in  the  course  of  the  season.  When 
Commodore  Bainbridge  left  her  for  ti\e  Constitution,  the  com- 
mand of  this  ship  had  been  given  to  Captain  Stewart,  the  offi- 
cer who  had  served  as  second  in  command  under  Commodore 
Preble,  during  most  of  the  operations  of  that  celebrated  cap- 
tain, before  Tripoli.  In  the  course  of  the  month  of  January, 
1813,  Captain  Stewart  dropped  down  the  river  with  an  inten- 
tion to  get  to  sea,  but  on  reaching  St.  Mary's,  an  order  was 
received,  that  induced  him  to  go  to  Annapolis,  in  order  to 
examine  his  powder.  From  this  place,  the  ship  was  directed 
to  proceed  to  Norfolk.  In  executing  this  order,  the  Constella- 
tion anchored  in  Hampton  Roads,  and  the  next  morning  a  fleec 
of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  several  two-decked  ships,  frigates 
and  sloops  of  war,  came  in  and  anchored  off  Willoughby's 
Point,  where  they  were  becalmed.  While  the  English  ships 
were  waiting  for  the  turn  of  the  tide,  the  Constellation  was 
kedged  up  until  she  grounded  on  the  flats  above ;  and  the  same 
night,  when  she  floated  with  the  tide,  she  was  carried  up,  and 
anchored  between  the  forts  at  Norfolk. 

A  few  days  later,  the  Constellation  dropped  down  abreast  of 
Craney  Island,  with  a  view  to  cover  the  fortifications  then 
erecting  at  that  place.  At  this  time,  the  enemy  was  still  lying 
in  force  in  Hampton  Roads. 

The  Constellation  was  anchored  in  the  middle  of  the  chaii- 
nel,  which  is  quite  narrow,  and  on  each  side  of  her  were 
26 


'■'■-^^^ 


\ 


302 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


moored  seven  gun>boats,  on  board  of  which  wuro  placed  ofTi* 
cors  and  men  belonging  to  the  uhip.  A  circle  of  booms, 
securely  fastened,  protected  the  gun-boats  from  being  boarded, 
which  would  enable  them  to  maintain  u  flunking  tire,  on  all 
assailants  of  the  frigate.  The  gun-deck  guns  of  the  latter  were 
housed,  and  the  ports  were  shut  in.  Great  care  was  taken 
that  no  rope  should  be  permitted  to  be  hanging  over  the  side 
of  the  vessel,  the  stern-ladders  were  taken  away,  and  even  the 
gangway-cleets  were  removed.  Boarding-nettings  were  made 
of  twenty-one  thread  ratlin-stuff,  that  had  been  boiled  in  half- 
made  pitch,  which  rendered  it  so  hard  as  almost  to  defy  the 
knife.  To  give  greater  strength,  nail  rods  and  small  chains 
were  secured  to  the  netting  in  lines  about  three  feet  apart.  In- 
stead of  tricing  to  the  rigging,  this  netting  was  spread  out- 
board, towards  the  yard-arms,  rising  about  twcnty-fivc  feet 
above  the  deck.  To  the  outer  rope  or  ridge-line  of  the  netting, 
were  secured  pieces  of  kentledge,  that  by  cutting  the  tricing 
lines  when  the  enemy  should  get  alongside,  his  boats  and  men 
might  be  caught  beneath.  Pieces  of  kentledge  were  also  sus- 
pended forward,  from  the  spritsail-yard,  bowsprit,  &c.  &c.,  to 
prevent  boats  from  lying  under  them,  while  the  netting  was 
here  hoisted  to  the  fore  stay.  The  carronades  were  charged  to 
the  muzzles  with  musket-balls,  and  depressed  to  the  in.'arest 
range,  in  order  to  sweep  around  the  ship.  As  the  frigate  was 
light,  and  unusually  high  out  of  the  water,  it  was  the  opinion 
of  the  best  judges,  that  defended  as  she  would  certainly  have 
been,  under  the  officers  who  were  in  her,  she  could  not  have 
been  carried  without  a  loss  of  several  hundred  men  to  the  ene- 
my, if  she  could  have  been  taken  by  boats  at  all. 

It  would  appear,  notwithstanding,  that  the  enemy  was  dis- 
posed to  make  the  attempt.  A  large  force  of  British  ships 
having  collected  in  the  Roads,  the  admirals  in  command  seri- 
ously contemplated  an  assault  on  the  Constellation.  Fortu- 
nately, Captain  Stewart  received  notice  of  their  intentions.  A 
Portuguese  had  been  stopped  by  the  fleet,  on  his  way  to  sea, 
and  his  ship  was  anchored  at  the  upper  part  of  the  Roads,  just 
out  of  gun-shot  of  the  frigate.  On  board  of  this  vessel,  the 
Admiral  kept  a  guard  and  a  look-out,  to  signal  the  movements 
above.  An  American  passenger,  on  board  the  Portuguese, 
learned  from  the  conversation  of  different  officers,  their  designs 
on  the  Constellation,  and  he  found  means  to  get  on  board  the 
frigate  in  order  to  apprise  her  commander  of  the  enemy's  plan, 
handsomely  volunteering  to  remain  in  the  ship  to  help  defend 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HIBTORY. 


303 


^^ 


her.*  Of  course  the  jfuard^bonts  wore  enjoined  to  bo  moro 
thnn  usually  vigilant,  and  every  thing  was  got  ready  to  receive 
the  enemy. 

The  night  succeeding  the  notice  was  starlight,  and  nothing 
was  attempted.  The  next  morning,  the  master  of  the  Portu- 
guese stopped  alongside  of  the  frigate,  on  his  way  to  Norfolk, 
uiid  stated  that  a  lurgo  number  of  boats  had  collected  ot  his 
ship  the  previous  evening,  but  that  the  expedition  had  been 
deferred  until  that  night,  which  promised  to  bo  dark  and  driz- 
zling.  Accordingly  the  guurd-boat  was  on  the  look-out,  und 
it  (ell  in  with  a  division  of  boats,  that  was  supposed  to  contain 
from  1500  to  2000  men.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  was  seen,  tho 
officer  in  tho  boot  showed  two  lanterns  on  tho  off-side  of  his 
cutler,  and  all  hands  were  called  in  tho  ship.  It  would  seem 
the  enemy  ascertained  that  his  approach  was  discovered,  and 
he  retired. 

The  following  night,  the  attempt  was  renewed,  with  the 
same  want  of  success.  A  few  nights  later,  it  again  proved 
dark  and  drizzling,  and  a  third  expedition  came  up.  On  this 
occasion,  Mr.  B.  J.  Neale,  the  second  lieutenant  of  the  Con- 
stellation, was  in  tho  guard-boat,  ond  he  edged  close  in  with 
the  enemy,  who  discovered  him.  As  soon  as  the  word  of  "  a 
stranger,"  was  given,  tho  people  of  the  cutter  sprang  to  their 
oars,  and  pulled  out  of  sight ;  but  finding  he  was  not  pursued, 
Mr.  Neale  returned  and  kept  company  with  the  brigade  of 
boats,  which  passed  up  on  the  inside  of  the  flats,  above  the 
mouth  of  Tanner's  creek,  and  anchored  at  no  great  distance 
below  the  forts.  Here  many  of  the  officers  landed  and  walked 
about  to  keep  themselves  warm,  the  guard-boat  anchoring  also. 
When  the  ebb  tide  made,  the  brigade  returned,  the  Constella- 
tion's boat  quitting  them  only  when  they  had  got  below  the 
frigate. 

Shortly  afler,  the  fortifications  being  suflSciently  advanced, 
and  block  ships  being  ready  for  sinking  in  the  channel,  the 
Constellation  was  carried  up  again  to  a  place  of  security. 
About  this  time  Captain  Stewart  was  transferred  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Constitution  44,  and  Captain  Tarbell  received  a 
temporary  appointment  to  the  Constellation,  though,  the  enemy 


*  The  name  of  this  gentleman  deserves  to  be  honourably  mentioned. 
It  wos  Mr.  Francis  March,  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  J.  Howard,  March 
&  Co.,  of  Madeira, 


^ 


A 


V 


304 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[IS13. 


<*' 


i  1 

1 


» 


always  maintaining  a  strong  force  in  the  waters  of  tlio  (Jhn^r. 
jwakn,  the  ship  continued  to  bo  blockaded  until  the  peace. 

The  Chesapeake,  lyinif  at  Hoston,  had  less  diduudty  in  get- 
ting to  sea,  lor  the  enemy  did  not  krep  any  force  beloro  that 
porl,  during  the  first  few  months  of  the  war;  most  probably 
under  th(!  tidso  impression  that  such  was  the  disaffection  of  the 
eastern  states,  that  it  would  virtually  bo  onnoying  frit-nds. 
She  sailed  at  the  close  of  February,  1HI8,  under  the  orders  of 
Captain  I'-vans,  and  passing  by  the  Canary  Isles  and  the  ('aju! 
do  Verds,  she  crossed  the  equator,  and  remained  for  six  wcMiks 
near  the  line.  She  then  made  the  coast  of  South  America, 
|)assed  the  spot  where  the  Hornet  sunk  the  Peacock,  the  day 
afler  that  action  had  occurred,  and  went  through  the  West- 
Indies,  and  along  the  American  coast,  to  the  port  from  which 
she  had  sailed.  During  this  long  run,  Captain  Evans  saw  bnt 
thriH3  men-of-wor,  a  ship  of  the  line  and  a  frigate,  near  the 
Western  Islands,  and  n  sloop  of  war,  off  the  Capos  of  Virginia. 
The  latter  escaped  in  the  night,  ofter  a  chusc  of  two  days. 
The  Chesapeake  captured  four  merchant  •vessels. 

Captain  Evans  gave  up  the  command  of  his  ship  on  his  re- 
turn,  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  was  succcodod  by  Captain 
James  Lawrence. 

By  this  time,  the  enemy  hi  A  changed  his  policy  as  regards 
the  eastern  states,  and  he  \<r'\tt  a  few  frigates  in  the  vicinity  of 
Massachusetts  Bay,  with  a  vit  -y  to  intercept  the  American 
ships  of  war  that  passed  in  and  out.  Two  of  these  cruisers, 
the  Shannon  38,  and  Tenedos  38,  had  been  off  Boston,  it  was 
said,  in  waiting  for  the  President  44,  and  Congress  88  to  come 
out,  but  these  ships  had  sailed  without  encountering  them,  and 
it  was  by  no  means  probable  that  the  English  seriously  wished 
a  meeting.  When  it  was  understood,  however,  that  the  Chesa- 
peake was  ready  to  sail,  the  Shannon,  Captain  Broke,  appeared 
alone  in  the  offing,  and  as  the  ships  were  fairly  matched,  a 
combat  appeared  much  more  probable.  It  is  now  !  nown,that 
Captain  Broke,  that  very  day  sent  in  an  invitation  to  C!<ipt,'>in 
La'A.ance,  to  meet  him  in  any  latitude  and  1'  ico  at 
might  be  agreed  on.  Unfortunately,  this  letter  was  aot  writ- 
ten until  about  the  moment  the  Chesapeake  was  getting  under 
wc.y,  and  the  advantage  of  having  officers  and  men  accustomed 
to  4  ct  1  little  together,  was  lost.  'Hie  Chesapeake's  contem- 
plficid  ci'uise  was  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  with  a  view 
to  iiitt  r-ept  the  store-ships  and  troop-ships  that  were  steering 
Jbo  iSt.  L.,  ivrence-     The  Hornet  18,  Captain  Biddle,  had 


^ 


1813.] 


NAV>IL    llli»ruKV. 


305 


l»cH'ii  put  under  the  oi  Ifrs  of  Cuji^nin  LinATcnco,  und  it  wop 
itit(!n(l(>d  titat  the  twt)  bJii|)H  Hhuuld  r.nnmi  in  conipiuiy.  Thu 
(irofiiland    wliuliNrjHhory   wum   tho  ultiinutc  ol'i'''f   of*  tlicHO 

VCHitclH, 

In  tho  forttnoon  of  Juno  1st,  1613,  the  'hannon  .ntpcarrd  in 
tho  bay.  Th<.' Chcsa|)oukc  waH  then  lyin^  i  Pnwid'  nt  UuadM, 
ready  for  sea;  though  HOmo  diHalFoctiun  i  istud  ai  long  the 
rrow,  on  a(!count  of  tho  prize-nionoy  of  the  >t  crui«o,  which 
vas  Htill  unpaid.  The  Hliip  liad  an  unusual  uunibor  ottnercc- 
iiarics  in  her;  and  amonf(  otiiers,  waH  a  boatMwain'H  ini'*<>,  a 
Portuguese,  wlio  wa«  found  to  be  particularly  !  oubl«s, .me. 
Under  the  extraordinary  circun^tancoH  in  whici  the  ven-sel 
vva.s  placed,  it  wa.s  thought  prudent  to  temporise,  ajid  thf;  poo- 
[lie  were  addreHsiid,  and  some  promises  were  nmd«  ■  i  >  them, 
which  apparently  had  tho  ellect  of  putting  them  in  i  bettor 
liumour. 

At  V2,  meridian,  tho  Cliosapcako  lillcd  her  anchor,  m  1  stood 
out,  with  a  jjleasant  brcczo  from  tho  southward  and  weni  ward. 
As  tho  Shannon  was  then  in  phiin  sight,  tho  ship  v-  a.s  ci  nrcd 
for  action,  and  tho  best  appearances  woro  assumed,  alth  'tigh 
it  is  known  that  Captain  Lawrence  went  into  this  engage  nnt 
with  strong  reluctancf  on  account  of  tho  peculiar  state  ot  his 
crew.  lie  liad  himself  only  joined  the  vessel  a  few  days  "C- 
foro ;  hor  proper  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  O.  A.  Page,  of  Viigiii  a, 
nn  officer  of  experience,  was  ill  on  shore,  and  died  soon  alli  r, 
in  Boston;  the  acting  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Augustus  Ludlo\ ', 
of  New  York,  though  an  oflicer  of  merit,  was  a  very  youji^ 
man,  and  was  in  an  entirely  novel  situation  ;  and  there  was  but 
one  other  commissioned  sea-officer  in  the  ship,  two  of  the  mid- 
shipmen acting  as  third  and  fourth  lieutenants,  and  now  per- 
forming this  duty  for  the  first  time.  One,  if  not  both  of  these 
young  i^entlemcn,  had  also  just  joined  the  ship,  following  tho 
captain  from  tho  Hornet.  In  addition,  the  Chesapeake  had  an 
unusual  number  of  landsmen  in  hor. 

T\v  Shannon  stood  off  under  easy  sail,  when  Captain  Law- 
rence lircd  a  gun,  about  half-past  4,  which  induced  her  to  heave 
to,  with  her  head  to  the  southward  and  eastward.  By  tliis 
time  tho  wind  had  freshened,  and  at  5,  the  Chesapeake  took  in 
her  royals  and  topgallant-sails,  and  half  an  hour  later,  she 
liii.j|«.Hl  !tp  her  courses.  Tho  two  ships  were  now  about  30 
miles  from  the  light,  the  Shannon  under  single-reefed  topsails 
and  jib,  nntl  the  Chesapeake  under  her  whole  topsails  and  jib, 
coming  down  fast.  As  the  Shannon  was  running  with  the 
.26* 


.^■x 


I 


•A^: 


■^■>^^^i:^>:'^ 


^■^^jr^'tjrrjr^*^-?: 


306 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


11813. 


t^f- 


■^ 


r 


# 


wind  a  little  free,  there  was  an  anxious  moment  on  board 
of  her,  during  which  it  was  uncertain  on  which  side  the  Chesa- 
peake was  about  to  close,  or  whether  she  might  not  be  disposed 
to  commence  the  action  on  her  quarter.  But  Captain  Law- 
rence chose  to  lay  his  enemy  iiiirly  alongside,  yard-arm  and 
yard-arm ;  and  he  lutTed,  and  ranged  up  abeam,  on  the  Shan- 
non's starboard  side.  When  the  Chesapeake's  foremast  was 
in  a  line  with  the  Shannon's  mizzen-mast,  the  latter  ship  dis- 
charged her  cabin  guns,  and  the  others  in  succession,  from  ail 
forward.  The  Chesapeake  did  not  fire  until  all  her  guns  bore, 
when  she  delivered  a  very  destructive  broadside.  For  six  or 
eight  minutes  the  cannonadhag  was  fierce,  and  the  best  of  the 
action,  so  far  as  the  general  effect  of  the  fire  was  concerned,  is 
said  to  have  been  with  the  American  frigate,  though  it  was 
much  in  favour  of  the  enemy,  in  its  particular  and  accidental 
consequences.  While  passing  the  Shannon's  broadside,  the 
Chesapeake  had  her  fore-topsail  tie  and  jib  sheet  shot  away. 
Her  spanker-brails  also  were  loosened,  and  the  sail  blew  out. 
These  accidents  occurring  nearly  at  the  same  instant,  they 
brought  the  ship  up  into  the  wind,  when,  taking  aback,  she  got 
sternway,  and  fell  aboard  of  the  enemy,  with  her  mizzen-rig- 
ji.- ,:  glii?  foul  of  the  Shannon's  fore-chnins.  By  some  accounts,  the 
*  "^  fiuke  of  an  anchor  on  board  the  Shannon  hooked  in  the  rigging 
of  the  Chesapeake.  '  Whatever  may  have  served  to  keep  the 
ships  together,  it  appears  to  be  certain,  that  the  American  fri- 
gate lay  exposed  to  a  raking  fire  from  the  enemy,  who  poured 
into  her  the  contents  of  one  or  two  carronades,  that  nearly 
sMi^ept  her  upper  deck.  At  the  few  first  dischargps  of  the  Shan- 
non, Captain  Lawrence  had  received  a  wound  in  the  leg ;  Mr. 
Broom,  the  marine  officer,  Mr.  Ballard,  the  acting  fourth  lieu- 
tenant, and  the  boatswain,  were  mortally  wounded ;  Mr.  White, 
the  master,  was  killed ;  and  Mr.  Ludlow,  the  first  lieutenant, 
was  twice  wounded  by  grape  and  musketry.  Such  was  the 
state  of  the  upper  deck,  as  the  accidents  mentioned,  brought 
the  vessels  in  contact.  When  Captain  Lawrence  perceived 
that  the  ships  were  likely  to  fall  foul  of  each  other,  he  directed 
the  boarders  to  be  called  ;  but  unfortunately,  a  bugleman  had 
been  substituted  for  the  drummer,  and  this  man,  a  negro,  was 
so  much  alarmed  at  the  effects  of  the  conflict,  that  he  had 
concealed  himself  under  the  stern  of  the  launch ;  when  found 
he  was  completely  paralysed  by  fea",  and  was  totally  unable 
to  sound  a  note.  Verbal  orders  were  consequently  s  nt  below, 
by  the  captain's  aids,  for  the  boarders  to  come  on  deck.     At 


^f>  --f^v^  -J?!  TUifprf  " 


'.  "VTs-ifPi:  iTTT^'nnt 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


307 


'*t' 


this  critical  moment  Captain  Lawrence  fell  with  a  ball  through 
the  body. 

The  upper  deck  was  now  left  without  an  officer  above  the 
rank  of  a  midshipman.  It  was  the  practice  of  the  service,  in 
that  day,  to  keep  the  arms  of  the  boarders  on  the  quarter-deck, 
and  about  the  masts ;  and  even  when  the  boarders  had  been 
summoned  in  the  slow  and  imperfect  manner  that,  in  the  con- 
fusion of  a  combat,  was  allowed  by  the  voice,  they  were  with- 
out arms ;  for,  by  this  time,  the  enemy  was  in  possession  of 
the  Chesapeake's  quarter-deck. 

As  soon  as  the  ships  were  foul.  Captain  Broke  passed  for- 
ward in  the  Shannon,  and,  to  use  his  own  language,  "  seeing 
that  the  enemy  were  flinching  from  his  guns,"  he  gave  the  or- 
der to  board.  Finding  that  all  their  officers  had  fallen,  and 
exposed  to  a  raking  fire,  without  the  means  of  returning  a  shot, 
the  men  on  the  Chesapeake's  quarter-deck  had  indeed  left  their 
guns.  The  marinas  had  suffered  severely,  and  having  lost 
their  officer,  were  ,<|!ndecided  what  to  do,  and  the  entire  upper 
deck  was  left  virtuliHy  without  any  defence. 

When  the  enemy  entered  the  ship,  from  his  fore-channels,  it 
was  with  great  caution,  and  so  slowly,  that  twenty  resolute 
men  would  have  repulsed  him.  The  boarders  had  not  yet  ap- 
peared from  below,  and  meeting  with  no  resistance,  he  began 
to  move  forward.  This  critical  moment  lost  the  ship,  for  the 
English,  encouraged  by  the  state  of  the  Chesapeake's  upper 
deck,  now  rushed  forward  in  numbers,  and  soon  had  entire 
command  above  board.  The  remaining  officers  appeared  on 
deck,  and  endeavoured  to  make  a  rally,  but  it  was  altogether 
too  late,  for  the  boatswain's  mate  mentioned,  had  removed  the 
gratings  of  the  berth-deck,  and  had  run  below,  followed  by  a 
great  many  men.*  Soon  after,  the  Chesapeake's  colours  were 
hauled  down  by  the  enemy,  who  got  complete  possession  of  the 
ship,  with  very  little  resistance. 

Captain  Broke,  in  his  official  report  of  this  action,  observes 
that  after  he  had  boarded,  "  the  enemy  fought  desperately,  but 
in  disorder."  The  first  part  of  this  statement  is  probably  true, 
as  regards  a  few  gallant  individuals  on  the  upper  deck,  but 
there  was  no  regular  resistance  to  the  boarders  of  the  Shannon 
at  all.  The  people  of  the  Chesapeake  had  not  the  means  to 
resist,  neither  were  they  collected,  nor  commanded  in  the  mode 
in  which  they  had  been  trained  to  act.    The  enemy  fired  down 

*  As  this  man  performed  this  act  of  treachery,  he  is  said  to  have  cried 
out,  "  so  much  for  not  having  paid  the  men  their  prize-money." 


4 


■y 


V-^-: 


-'"-11 


308 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1813. 


i 


the  hatches,  and  killed  and  wounded  a  great  many  men,  in  this 
manner,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  their  fire  was  returned. 
Although  the  English  lost  a  few  men  when  they  boarded,  it  is 
understood  that  the  slaughter  was  principally  on  the  side  of  the 
Americans,  as  might  be  expected,  after  the  assault  was  made.* 

Few  naval  battles  have  been  more  sanguinary  than  this.  It 
lasted  altogether  not  more  than  15  minutes,  and  yet  both  ships 
were  charnel-houses.  The  Chesapeake  had  48  men  killed, 
and  98  wounded,  a  large  portion  of  whom  fell  by  the  raking 
fire  of  the  Shannon,  after  the  Chesapeake  was  taken  aback, 
and  by  the  fire  of  the  boarders.  The  Shannon  had  23  killed 
and  56  wounded,  principally  by  the  Chesapeake's  broadsides. 
It  was  impossible  for  ships  of  that  size  to  approach  so  near,  in 
tolerably  smooth  water,  and  to  fire  with  so  much  steadiness, 
without  committing  great  havoc.  On  board  the  Chesapeake 
fell,  or  died  of  their  wounds  shortly  after  the  combat.  Captain 
Lawrence,  Lieutenants  Ludlow,  Ballard,  and  Broom,  (of  the 
marines,)  Mr.  White,  the  master,  Mr.  Adorns,  the  boatswain, 
and  three  midshipmen.  All  but  the  midshipmen,  *oll  before  the 
enemy  boarded.  Mr.  Budd  second,  and  Mr.  Cox  third  lieu- 
tenant, were  wounded  after  the  enemy  had  got  on  the  Che- 
sapeake's decks.  Several  midshipmen  were  also  wounded. 
The  Shannon  lost  her  first  lieutenant,  and  one  or  two  inferior 
officers,  and  Captain  Broke  was  badly  wounded ;  the  boatswain 
lost  an  arm,  and  one  midshipman  was  wounded,  mostly  after 
the  boarding. 

As  soon  as  the  ships  were  clear  of  each  other,  they  both 
made  sail  for  Halifax,  where  they  soon  after  arrived.  Captain 
Lawrence  died  of  his  wounds  on  the  6th  of  June,  and,  with 
Mr.  Ludlow,  was  buried  by  the  enemy  M'ith  military  honours. 

Perhaps  the  capture  of  no  single  ship  ever  produced  so  much 
exultation  on  the  side  of  the  victors,  or  so  much  depression  on 
that  of  the  beaten  party,  as  that  of  the  Chesapeake.  The 
American  nation  had  fallen  into  the  error  of  their  enemy,  and 
had  begun  to  imagine  themselves  Jnvincible  on  the  ocean,  and 
this  without  any  better  reason  than  having  been  successful  in 

•  The  fact  that  the  English  met  with  no  resistance  in  coming  on  board 
the  Chesapeake,  is  fully  confirmed  by  the  official  account  of  Captain  Broke. 
This  officer,  who  appears  to  have  behaved  with  great  personal  gallantry, 
was  among  the  first  to  board,  and  he  says,  "  having  received  a  sabre 
wound,  at  the  Jirat  onset,  while  charging  a  part  of  the  enemy,  who  had 
rallied  on  their  forecastle  "  &c.  &c.  The  enemy  came  in  astern,  and  the 
Jirst  onset  occurring  on  the  forecastle,  it  follows  that  there  was  no  resist- 
ance aA. 


~W-^ 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


309 


a  few  detached  combats,  and  its  mortification  was  in  propor- 
tion to  the  magnitude  of  its  delusion ;  while  England  hailed 
the  success  of  the  Shannon  as  a  proof  that  its  ancient  renown 
was  about  to  be  regained. 

In  America  reflection  soon  caused  the  mortification  in  a- 
great  measure  to  subside,  as  it  was  seen  that  the  capture  of 
the  Chesapeake  was  owing  to  a  concurrence  of  circumstances 
that  was  not  likely  again  to  happen.  It  was  soon  understood 
that  the  closeness  and  short  duration  of  this  combat  were  ac- 
tually owing  to  their  own  oflScer,  who  brought  his  ship  so  near 
that  the  battle  was  necessarily  soon  decided,  while  its  succeed- 
ing incidents  were  altogether  the  results  of  the  chances  of  war. 
At  the  moment  when  the  English  boarded,  the  total  loss  of  the 
Shannon  in  men,  is  believed  to  have  been  at  least  equal  to  that 
of  the  Chesapeake ;  yet  the  former  vessel  was  deprived  of  the 
services  of  no  important  officer  but  the  boatswain,  while  the 
Chesapeake  had  lost  those  of  her  captain,  two  of  her  lieuten- 
ants, master,  marine  officer,  and  boatswain,  including  every 
one  in  any  authority  on  the  upper  deck.  These  fortuitous 
events  are  as  unconnected  with  any  particular  merit  on  the 
one  side,  as  with  any  particular  demerit  on  the  other ;  and  the 
feeling  of  the  Americans  gradually  settled  down  into  a  senti- 
ment  of  sincere  respect  for  the  high-spirited  Lawrence,  and  of 
deep  regret  for  his  loss.  When  told  of  their  defeat,  and  call- 
ed on  to  acknowledge  that  their  enemy  was  victorious  in  one 
of  the  most  extraordinary  combats  of  the  age,  they  have  gen- 
erally given  all  the  credit  to  the  conquerors  that  they  deserved ; 
and  while  they  frankly  admit  that  the  victory  was  remarkable, 
they  may  be  excused  for  believing  it  quite  as  much  so  for 
standing  alone  in  such  a  war,  as  for  any  other  distinguishing 
characteristic. 


\ 


310 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1613. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


While  these  different  events  were  occurrino:  amons  the  fri- 
gates  and  larger  sloops  of  war,  the  lighter  cruisers  of  the  navy 
had  not  been  idle.  The  fate  of  the  Nautilus  has  been  already 
mentioned ;  the  Argus's  cruises  have  also  been  alluded  to ; 
but  nothing  has  been  said  of  the  Siren,  Enterprise,  and  Vixen, 
the  other  three  little  vessels,  which  were  so  distinguished  in  the 
Tripolitan  contest.  The  latter,  like  her  sister  the  Nautilus,  had 
but  a  short  career  after  the  declaration  of  war.  During  the 
first  few  months,  she  was  on  the  southern  coast,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Gadsden,  but  that  officer  dying,  she  was 
given  to  Captain  Washington  Reed,  who  went  on  a  cruise 
among  the  Islands.  A  few  days  out,  he  was  fallen  in  with 
and  chased  by  the  Southampton  32,  Captain  Sir  James  Lucas 
Yeo,  which  ship  succeeded  in  getting  alongside  of  the  Vixen, 
after  a  short  but  severe  trial  of  speed,  and  of  course  captured 
her.  Both  vessels  were  soon  after  wrecked  on  one  of  the  Ba- 
hama Islands,  when,  it  is  said,  that  the  American  crew  set  an 
example  of  subordination,  sobriety,  and  order,  that  produced 
a  strong  impression  on  the  British  officers. 

The  Siren  cruised  a  short  time  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  with- 
out meeting  with  any  thing,  under  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Joseph  Bainbridge,  and  then  came  north,  going  into  Boston. 
Here  Mr.  Bainbridge,  who  had  been  promoted,  was  transferred 
to  the  Frolic,  one  of  the  new  sloops  built  under  the  late  laws ; 
and  Mr.  George  Parker,  who  had  been  the  first  lieutenant  of 
the  Constitution,  in  her  action  with  the  Java,  having  been  pro- 
moted, was  attached  to  the  brig  in  his  place.  The  future  his- 
tory of  this  little  cruiser  being  brief,  it  may  be  given  here. 
She  sailed  from  Boston  in  the  summer  of  1814,  and,  shortly 
after  she  got  to  sea,  Captain  Parker  died  ;  when  Lieutenant  N. 
Nicholson  succeeded  to  the  command.  On  the  12th  of  July, 
the  Siren  fell  in  with  the  Medway  74,  Captain  Brine,  and, 
after  a  vigorous  chase  of  eleven  hours,  during  which  the  brig 
threw  her  guns  overboard,  she  was  captured,  and  taken  into 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

The  fortune  of  thu  Enterprise  was  better.  Her  first  com- 
mander was  Mr.  Johnston  Blakely,  who  kept  her  on  the  east- 


! 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY, 


311 


ern  coast,  where  she  was  of  great  service,  in  driving  off  the 
small  privateers  that  were  sent  out  of  the  adjacent  English 
ports.  In  August,  she  captured  the  Fly  privateer ;  and  soon 
after,  Mr.  Blakely,  having  risen  to  the  rank  of  master  and 
command'^r,  was  given  the  command  of  a  new  sloop  called 
the  Wasp.  His  successor  in  the  Enterprise  was  Mr.  William 
Burrows.  The  service  of  the  vessel,  under  this  officer,  was 
not  changed ;  but  she  was  still  kept  to  watch  the  enemy's  priva- 
teers, between  Cape  Ann  and  the  Bay  of  Fundy. 

The  Enterprise  left  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  on  the  1st  of  Sep- 
tember, 1813,  and  steering  to  the  eastward,  was  led  into  Port- 
land, in  chase  of  a  schooner,  on  the  3d.  On  the  4th,  she 
swept  out  to  sea  again,  and  pursued  her  course  to  the  eastward 
in  quest  of  several  privateers  that  were  reported  to  be  off  Man- 
hagan.  While  opening  the  bay,  near  Penguin  Point,  a  brig 
was  seen  getting  under  way,  that  had  every  appearance  of  be- 
ing a  vessel  of  war.  The  character  of  the  stranger  was  soon 
put  out  of  all  doubt,  by  her  setting  four  British  ensigns,  firing 
several  guns,  which  are  since  known  to  have  been  signals  of 
recall  to  a  boat  that  had  gone  to  the  shore,  and  her  'making 
sail  to  close  with  the  Enterprise.  Being  satisfied  that  he  had 
an  enemy  and  a  vessel  of  war  to  deal  with,  Lieutenant  Com- 
mandant Burrows  hauled  up,  in  order  to  clear  the  land. 

While  the  two  vessels  were  standing  out,  the  Enterprise  lead- 
ing, some  preparations  were  making  on  board  the  latter  that 
produced  uneasiness  in  a  portion  of  her  crew.  This  little  brig 
had  a  small  poop-cabin  on  deck,  and  Mr.  Burrows  had  direct- 
ed a  long  gun  from  forward  to  be  brought  afi,  and  to  be  run 
out  of  one  of  the  windows.  Owing  to  the  rake  of  the  stern- 
frame,  and  to  the  fixtures  of  the  cabin,  this  arrangement  could 
not  be  completed  without  cutting  away  some  of  the  wood.  On 
observing  this,  the  impression  became  general  among  the  men 
that  it  was  the  intention  of  their  commander,  who  was  almost 
a  stranger  to  them,  to  keep  off,  and  to  use  the  gun  as  a  stern- 
chaser.  This  was  an  unpleasant  idea  to  the  forecastle-men  in 
particular,  who  were  burning  with  a  desire  to  be  carried  along- 
side of  the  enemy.  The  forecastle  was  commanded  by  a  young 
officer  of  great  promise,  and  the  seamen  at  length  urged  him 
to  go  aft  and  state  their  anxiety  to  engage,  as  well  as  their  en- 
tire confidence  of  success.  This  gentleman  so  far  complied 
as  to  speak  privately  to  the  first  lieutenant,  who  explained  the 
intention  of  Mr.  Burrows,  and  fully  satisfied  the  people. 

At  3  P.  M.,  believing  himself  far  enough  from  the  land,  and 


«l 


4-,..,,,. 


312 


NAVAL     HISTO  R  Y 


[1813. 


:,- 


having  completed  his  preparations,  Lieutenant  Commandunt 
Burrows  shortened  sail  and  edged  away  towards  his  enemy, 
who  seemed  equally  willing  to  engage.  The  two  brigs  up* 
prouchod  on  contrary  tacks.  As  they  neared  each  other,  or 
at  20  minutes  past  3,  they  kept  away  together ;  and  as  they 
came  side  by  side,  both  delivered  their  fire,  within  pistoUsliot. 
The  Enterprise  opened  with  her  larboard,  and  the  enemy 
witli  his  starboard  guns.  The  former  brig  drew  ahead,  keep* 
iiig  up  an  animated  fire,  and  finding  himself  well  forward  of 
the  English  vessel's  bow,  Mr.  Burrows  put  his  helm  a-star- 
board,  and  sheered  across  his  antagonist's  furofoot,  firing  tho 
gun  that  hud  '>jen  run  out  of  the  cabin  window  once  or  twice 
with  great  eiil'ct  in  passing.  The  enemy  was  now  allowed  to 
come  up  again  on  the  Enterprise's  quarter,  when  the  two  vea* 
sels  engaged  with  their  opposite  guns ;  the  American  brig  con- 
tinuing to  keep  well  on  the  enemy's  bow.  In  thii^  situation  the 
English  vessel  lost  her  main-topmast,  when  tho  Enterprise 
again  sheered  athwart  her  forefoot,  raked  her  once  or  twice 
more  with  tho  long  gun  aft,  which  proved  to  be  the  most  ser- 
viceable piece  in  the  vessel,  and  resumed  her  position  on  tho 
enemy's  starboard  bow,  maintaining  an  animated  (ire.  While 
lying  in  this  favourable  situation,  the  enemy  struck. 

In  this  hot  and  vigorous  combat,  tho  Enterprise  was  singu- 
larly well  handled,  manceuvring  on  the  bows  of  her  enemy 
with  effect,  while  she  was  kept  perfectly  in  command,  and  was 
ready  at  any  moment  to  meet  any  change  of  position  on  tho 
part  of  her  antagonist.  That  it  was  the  original  intention  of 
her  commander  to  fight  her  in  this  novel  manner,  was  appa- 
rent by  the  forethought  he  discovered  in  shifting  tho  bow  gun 
aft. 

The  fire  of  the  enemy  ceased  about  4,  though  his  colours 
were  still  flying.  He  now  hailed  to  say  he  hud  struck ;  and 
when  ordered  to  haul  down  his  ensign,  an  answer  was  given 
that  it  had  been  nailed  aloft,  and  could  not  be  lowered  until 
the  fire  of  the  Enterprise  should  cease.  After  this  awkward 
explanation,  the  Enterprise  stopped  firing,  and  took  possession. 
The  prize  proved  to  be  H.  B.  M.  brig  Boxer  14,  Captain 
Blythe,  an  officer  of  merit,  who  had  been  cut  nearly  in  two 
by  an  eighteen-pound  shot.  The  loss  of  the  Boxer  in  killed 
has  never  been  accurately  ascertained,  though  it  is  thought  to 
have  been  relatively  heavy.  She  had  14  men  wounded.  The 
Enterprise  had  1  man  killed,  and  13  wounded,  of  whom  3 
subsequently  died.    Among  tho  latter,  unhappily,  was  her  gal* 


-'-■r 


imu.j 


NAVAL    HIMTOKY, 


313 


lant  commander.  Atthoufjh  tho  dinparity  in  tho  caHunltioR  of 
thin  action  wus  not  ho  striking  un  in  Homo  oi'  tho  provioUM  nn< 
gugumuntH,  thnt  in  tho  injurioM  ruccivod  by  tho  two  viihhoIh  wm 
vory  groat.  Uut  ono  oightoon-pound  uhot  hulled  thu  Kntcr* 
priHQ ;  ono  pasHod  through  hor  malnmant,  and  anothor  through 
livjr  foremast.  Sho  was  much  cut  up  uloll,  particularly  by 
grapo ;  and  a  great  many  nhot  of  tho  latter  doncription  had 
struck  her  hull.  Noarly  all  of  tho  caBualties  were  rocoived 
from  grape  or  canister  shot.  On  tho  other  hand,  thu  Hoxor 
had  boon  repuutodly  hulled,  had  no  Iohh  than  throo  oightoon' 
pound  shot  through  her  foremant  alone ;  several  of  her  gun* 
wero  dismounted,  her  topgullunt*forecastlo  was  nearly  cut 
away,  and  her  sails,  sparH,  and  rigging  generally,  were  much 
torn  to  pieces.  Tlio  water  Ixjing  quite  smooth,  neither  vessel 
was  dismasted.  Tho  Knterpriso  returned  to  I'orlland  on  tho 
7th,  with  tho  Boxer,  where  Lieutenant  (Jommandant  liurrows, 
and  (yaptain  Dtytho,  wero  both  buried  with  tho  honours  of  wor. 

Ailer  tho  death  of  Mr.  Burrows,  Lieutenant  James  Renshaw 
was  appointed  to  tho  command  of  the  Enterprise,  under  which 
officer,  during  tho  following  winter,  she  mode  u  cruise  to  tho 
southward,  iis  far  as  tho  Wcst-Indies.  Here  her  usual  good 
fortuno  accompanied  her ;  for  though  she  sailed  badly,  and 
was  three  times  hard  chased,  she  always  escaped.  Tho  Rat- 
tlcsnako  10,  a  fast-sailing  brig,  bought  into  the  service,  was  in 
company,  under  tho  orders  of  Lieutenant  Commandant  (Jroigh- 
ton,  who  was  the  senior  officer  of  the  two  vessels.  Mr.  Creigh- 
ton  went  on  cruising  ground  much  frequented  by  tho  enemy, 
and  yet  fell  in  with  no  mr.n-of-war  ho  could  engage.  lie  was 
chased  by  heavy  ships,  and,  to  uso  his  own  expression,  ••  in 
every  instance,  tho  good  fortune  of  tho  Entcrprlr^e  has  Ixjen 
wonderfully  manifest."  Tho  Rattlesnake  outsailed  her  consort 
with  so  much  ease,  that  most  of  the  cruise  she  was  under  her 
topsails. 

While  off  the  coast  of  Florida,  the  Enterprise  got  alongside 
of  tho  Mars  14,  a  British  privateer,  with  a  crew  of  75  men. 
When  tho  two  brigs  appeared,  neor  half  the  people  of  the 
Mars  took  to  the  boats  and  went  ashore,  to  cscap*;  impress- 
ment ;  but  her  master,  notwithstanding  this  reduction  of  his 
force,  ranged  up  under  tho  broadside  of  the  Enterprise,  with 
his  tompions  out  and  guns  trained.  Lieutenant  Renshaw,  bo- 
ing  ignorant  of  tlio  strength  of  the  crew  of  tho  Mars,  fired 
into  her,  when  she  struck,  having  had  4  men  killed  and 
wounded.  On  tho  25th  of  April,  the  brigs  separated  while 
27 


'U I- -i^ljWitlHS' 


Y'- 


314 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1813. 


chased  by  a  frigate.  The  enemy  pursued  the  Enterprise,  and 
for  70  hours  pressed  her  very  hard.  Lieutenant  Commandant 
Renshaw  was  compelled  to  throw  all  his  guns  but  one  over- 
board, and  yet  the  enemy  frequently  came  within  the  range  of 
shot.  On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  it  was  perfectly  calm,  and 
the  frigate,  then  at  long  gun-shot,  began  to  hoist  out  her  boats, 
when  a  light  breeze  sprang  up,  and  brought  this  lucky  little 
brig  again  dead  to  windward.  Nothing  but  this  favourable 
shift  of  wind  saved  the  Enterprise  from  capture. 

Shortly  after,  Mr.  Creighton  was  promoted,  and  appointed 
to  the  command  of  a  new  sloop  of  war  just  launched  at  Wash- 
ington, and  Mr.  Renshaw  was  transferred  to  the  Rattlesnake. 
The  two  vessels  being  in  a  southern  port,  the  Enterprise  was 
sent  to  Charleston,  where  she  became  the  guard-vessel,  her 
sailing  being  too  indifferent  to  allow  of  her  being  sent  to  sea 
again,  in  such  a  war.  When  cruising  in  the  Rattlesnake,  in 
lat.  40°  N.,  long.  33°  W.,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Renshaw 
was  chased  by  a  frigate,  and  compelled  to  throw  overboard  all 
his  armament  but  the  two  long  guns.  By  this  means  he  es- 
caped. June.  22d,  near  the  same  spot,  however,  he  fell  in  with 
the  Leander  50,  a  new  ship,  constructed  on  the  most  approved 
modern  plan,  which  vessel  captured  him ;  the  Rattlesnake  hav- 
ing been  unfortunately  placed  between  an  enemy  that  had  the 
advantage  of  the  wind,  and  the  land.  On  this  occasion.  Lieu- 
tenant Commandant  Renshaw  kept  his  colours  flying  in  a  very 
steady  and  officer-like  manner,  until  the  Leander  threw  her 
shot  into  the  Rattlesnake  with  precision  and  effect. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 


In  addition  to  the  law  of  January  2d,  1813,  which  authorised 
the  construction  of  four  ships  of  the  line  and  six  heavy  frigates, 
it  will  be  remembered  that  the  executive  was  also  empowered 
to  cause  several  sloops  of  war  to  be  laid  down.  These  ships 
were  of  the  class  of  the  Hornet  and  Wasp,  but  were  a  little 
larger  than  the  old  vessels  of  the  same  rate ;  and  they  all 
mounted  20  thirty-two-pound  carronades,  besides  the  two  bow 
guns.     Most  of  them  were  got  into  the  water  in  the  course  of 


II.  I     !■  «J    III  > 

'-:iW(^ 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


315 


the  year  1813,  though  their  preparations  were  in  different  de- 
groes  of  forwardness.  They  were  called  the  Wasp,  the  Frolic, 
the  Peacock,  the  Eric,  the  Ontario,  and  the  Argus.  As  there 
had  been  a  brig  in  the  navy  of  the  latter  name,  however,  with 
which  the  reader  has  long  been  acquainted,  it  is  now  necessary 
to  allude  to  her  fate. 

After  the  return  of  the  Argus  from  her  cruise  under  Lieu- 
tenant Commandant  Sinclair,  as  has  been  already  stated,  Mr. 
William  He.?ry  Allen,  who  had  been  the  first  lieutenant  of  the 
United  States  44,  in  her  action  with  the  Macedonian,  was 
appointed  to  command  her.  Lieutenant  Allen  first  obtained 
the  Argus  by  an  order  from  Commodore  Decatur ;  and  there 
was  a  moment  when  it  was  uncertain  whether  Captain  Biddle, 
or  this  gentleman,  should  go  to  sea  in  the  brig,  but  the  former 
was  p'U  into  the  Hornet.  Mr.  iVllen  was  shortly  afler  pro- 
moted, hen  his  new  station  was  confirmed  by  the  department. 
June  ILth,  1813,  the  Argus  sailed  from  New  York,  with  Mr. 
Crawford,  then  recently  appointed  minister  to  France,  on 
board ;  and  afler  a  passage  of  23  days,  she  arrived  safe  at 
rOrient.  Remaining  but  three  days  in  the  port,  Captain  Allen 
proceeded  on  a  cruise. 

The  Argus  sailed  from  I'Orient  about  the  middle  of  July, 
and  her  exploits  for  the  next  few  weeks,  revive  the  recollections 
of  those  of  Captains  Jones,  Wickes,  and  Conyngham,  during 
the  Revolution.  Captain  Allen  kept  his  brig  for  some  time  in 
the  chops  of  the  English  Channel,  then  went  round  the  Land's 
End,  and  shifted  his  cruising  ground  to  the  Irish  Channel.  He 
captured  twenty  sail  of  merchantmen,  while  passing,  as  it 
might  be,  through  the  very  centre  of  the  enemy,  most  of  which 
were  destroyed.  The  appearance  of  this  vessel  so  near  the 
British  coast,  excited  much  interest  in  the  English  commercial 
world,  and  several  cruisers  were  immediately  sent  in  chase  of 
her. 

It  will  readily  be  understood,  that  the  duty  on  board  the 
Argus,  was  of  the  most  harassing  and  fatiguing  nature,  the 
feelings  of  Captain  Allen  inducing  him  to  allow  the  masters 
and  passengers  of  the  different  vessels  he  took,  to  remove  every 
thing  of  value,  that  belonged  to  themselves,  before  he  caused 
the  prizes  to  be  burned.  Indeed,  in  so  honourable  and  chival- 
rous a  spirit  did  this  excellent  officer  conduct  the  peculiar  war- 
fare  in  which  he  was  engaged,  that  even  the  enemy  did  ample 
justice  to  his  liberality. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th  of  August,  the  Argus  fell  in  with 


TIJ  V'1 


310 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1813. 


a  vessel  from  Oporto,  loaded  with  wine.  It  hos  been  said,  and 
apparently  on  authority  entitled  to  credit,  that  u  good  deal  of 
the  liquor  was  brought  on  board  the  brig,  clandestinely,  as  the 
boats  passed  to  and  fro,  and  that  many  of  the  people,  who  had 
been  over-worked  and  kept  from  their  rest,  partook  of  the  re- 
freshment it  aflbrdcd  too  freely.  A  little  before  daylight  tho 
prize  was  set  on  fire,  when  tho  Argus  left  her,  under  easy  sail. 
(Shortly  after,  a  large  brig  of  war  was  seen  standing  down  upon 
tho  American  vessel,  under  a  cloud  of  canvass;  and  ftnding  it 
impossible  to  gain  the  wind  of  his  enemy,  Captain  Allen  short- 
ened sail  to  allow  him  to  close.  At  0,  tho  Argus  wore,  and 
fired  her  larboard  broadside,  tho  English  vessel  being  then 
within  good  groix?  and  canister  range.  The  fire  was  ii'i^ne- 
diately  returned,  the  brigs  fast  drawing  nearer.  Within  vbur 
minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the  action,  Captain  Allen 
was  mortally  wounded,  by  a  round  shot's  carrying  oft*  p.  leg. 
He  refused  to  be  taken  below,  but  fainting  from  loss  of  blood, 
he  was  carried  off  tho  deck  at  8  minutes  past  6.  At  12  min- 
utes past  6,  Mr.  Watson,  the  first  lieutenunt,  was  severely 
wounded  in  tho  head  by  a  grape-shot,  which  stunned  him,  and 
he  was  also  taken  below.  But  one  lieutenant  remained,  Mr. 
W.  H.  Allen,  who  continued  to  fight  the  bri\^^,  in  a  very  gallant 
manner,  under  the  most  discouraging  circu'iistances.  At  this 
juncture,  the  Argus  was  beautifully  handled,  an  attempt  of  the 
enemy  to  cross  her  stern,  by  keeping  away,  having  been  frus- 
trated, by  the  American  brig's  lufting  into  the  wind,  making  u 
half-board  and  throwing  in  a  completely  raking  broadside  her- 
self. But  all  tho  braces  aft  having  been  shot  away,  tho  Argus 
broke  round  off,  in  filling  again,  when  tho  enemy  succeeded  in 
crossing  her  stern  and  raking.  At  25  minutes  past  6,  tho 
wheel-ropes  and  nearly  all  the  running  rigging  being  gone,  the 
Argus  became  unmanageable,  and  the  enemy  chose  his  position 
at  pleasure.  At  half-past  6,  Mr.  Watson  returned  to  the  deck, 
when  he  found  the  enemy  lying  under  the  Argus's  stern,  pour- 
ing in  his  fire  without  resistance.  An  attempt  was  made  to 
get  alongside,  with  a  view  to  board,  but  it  *vas  found  impracti- 
cable  to  move  the  American  brig,  while  the  enemy  kept  on  her 
quarter,  or  bow,  throwing  in  a  cross  o;  raking  fire  with  im- 
punity, the  Argus  seldom  being  able  to  bring  a  gun  to  bear. 
At  47  minutes  past  6,  the  colours  were  ordered  to  be  hauled 
down ;  the  enemy,  at  the  same  moment,  falling  on  board,  and 
taking  possession  over  the  bow. 
The  English  brig  was  the  Pelican  18,  Captain  Maples, 


1 


^  * 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


317 


mounting;  10  tliirty.two-pound  carronaduM,  four  long  guiiH,  and 
oiiu  twc'ivu<{)ound  carroiiudo.  Tiiu  arinumuiit  ui'  tlio  ArgiiH, 
by  crowd'iig  gutiH  into  tliu  bridio  ports,  was  18  twi>nty-lour- 
pound  curronudcH  and  two  cbaHo  guns.  Tho  cnc^iny  wan  ho 
much  heavier,  that  it  may  ho  doubted  whether  the  Argun  could 
have  captured  hor  anlagonint  under  any  ordinary  circumstanced, 
but  it  has  l)een  usual,  in  tho  service,  to  impute  this  defeat  to  a 
want  of  oiUcers,  and  to  the  fact  that  the  people  of  the  Argus 
were  not  in  a  ftt  condition  to  go  into  action.  The  American 
vessel  was  particularly  well  odicered,  so  far  as  quality  was 
concerned,  though  her  batteries  were  necessarily  lell  without 
H  proper  supervision,  after  Mr.  Wafson  was  taken  below.  It 
is  nut  easy  to  l)clieve  that  Captain  Allen  would  have  tmgagj.'d 
with  his  people!  under  any  very  obvious  influence  from  a  freu 
use  of  wine,  but  nothing  is  more  probable  than  that  the  crow 
of  tho  Argus  should  have  Iw^en  overworked,  in  tho  peculiar 
situation  in  which  they  were  placed  ;  and  th(!y  may  have  been 
exposed  to  the  particular  influence  mentioned,  without  the  cir- 
curnstance  having  come  to  the  knowledge  of  tho  superior  olli- 
cers.  They  have,  indeed,  been  described  us  "  nodding  at  their 
guns,"  from  excessive  fatigue.  One  thing  would  seem  to  Ikj 
certain,  that,  while  tho  brig  was  beautifully  handled,  so  long 
as  she  was  at  all  manageable,  tho  fire  of  no  other  American 
cruiser  in  this  war,  was  as  little  destructive  as  that  of  tho 
Argus.*  This  has  been  attributed  to  tho  fatigue  of  tho  crow, 
and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  circumstance  of  the 
two  lieutenants  having  been  so  early  taken  from  the  batteries, 
did  not  contribute  to  tho  accuracy  of  the  fire.  It  ought,  more- 
over, to  bo  added,  that  the  Pelican  was  about  a  fourth  larger 
than  her  antagonist. 

On  tho  other  hand,  tho  fire  of  tho  enemy,  when  its  length, 
closeness,  and  want  of  resistance,  are  considered,  docs  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  remarkable.  The  Argus  had  two  midship- 
men, and  four  men  killed,  and  17  men  wounded,  in  an  action 
of  three  quarters  of  an  hour.     The  Pelican,  notwithstanding, 

*  It  is  ono  tradition  of  the  eorvicc  that  tho  Argus  won  lost  by  double 
shotting  tho  carronadcs.  It  iH  certain  that  a  carronude  will  not  bear  two 
islint  to  advantage.  In  her  first  cruise,  tiio  Essex,  which  vessel  hiid  an 
armament  of  carronadcs,  took  a  merchant-brig,  on  which  Captain  Porter 
determined  to  try  tho  effect  of  liis  broadside.  Tho  frigate  ranged  fairly 
alongside  of  her  prize,  and  fired  a  whole  broadside  into  her,  each  gun  being 
double-shotted.  Nearly  every  shot  struck,  and  but  two  or  three,  with  the 
exception  of  thoao  from  the  long  twelves,  penetrated  tlie  brig's  sides. 
27* 


V    ^ 


318 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


was  extremely  well  managed,  and  was  very  gallantly  fought. 
She  lost  7  men  in  killed  and  wounded,  but  appears  to  huvo 
suffered  very  little  in  her  hull,  or  even  aloft. 

Captain  Allen  died  of  his  wound  in  the  hospital  of  Mill 
Prison,  and  was  buried  by  the  enemy  with  the  honours  of  war. 
Mr.  Wutson  recovered  of  his  hurts. 

Thus  the  navy  lost  all  but  the  Enterprise,  of  the  five  little 
cruisers  that  had  figured  before  Tripoli,  and  which  had  become 
endeared  to  the  service  by  its  traditions  and  recollections.  The 
Argus  alone,  had  been  taken  under  circumstances  that  allowed 
a  gun  to  be  fired. 


'  CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  war,  a  hundred 
British  pennants  were  assembled  in  the  American  seas.  A 
considerable  force  collected  in  the  Chesapeake,  a  part  of  which 
was  kept  to  watch  the  Constellation,  in  the  manner  mentioned, 
while  the  small  vessels  made  descents  on  the  coast,  or  entered 
the  rivers  and  creeks,  with  which  those  waters  abound. 

In  the  early  part  of  June,  1813,  the  enemy  was  thought  to 
have  had  more  than  twenty  sail  of  cruisers  in  and  about  the 
Chesapeake,  of  which  several  were  ships  of  the  line.  The  flags 
of  two  admirals  were  flying  among  them.  On  the  18th,  three 
frigates  came  into  Hampton  Roads,  and  one  of  them  went  up 
nearly  to  the  quarantine  ground,  sending  her  boats  to  destroy 
«ome  small  vessels  in  the  James.  The  next  day  the  flotilla 
of  gun-boats  descended  to  attack  her,  under  the  orders  of  Cap- 
tain Tarbell,  then  temporarily  in  command  of  the  Constellation. 
There  were  fifteen  boats  in  all,  acting  in  two  divisions,  one  of 
which  was  directed  by  Lieutenant  Gardner,  and  the  other  by 
Lieutenant  Robert  Henley.  Officers  and  men  were  taken 
from  the  frigate  to  man  them,  including  nearly  all  her  lieu- 
tenants and  midshipmen.  A  company  of  riflemen  volunteered 
to  join  the  seamen,  and  were  also  distributed  among  the  boats. 
The  weather  prevented  Captain  Tarliell  from  approaching  the 
enemy,  until  Sunday,  the  20th,  when  it  fell  calm,  and  the  gun- 
boats dropped  dov"  within  a  good  range  for  shot,  and  opened 


1813] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


819 


on  the  upper  frigate,  about  4,  A.  M.  At  this  time  the  two 
other  Irigatcs  were  still  lying  in  the  Roads. 

The  gun-boats  formed  in  a  crescent,  and  a  brisk  cannonade 
was  commenced  on  thn  part  of  the  Americans.  It  was  some 
time  before  the  cnomy  returned  it,  the  approach  in  the  dark 
and  mist  having  taken  him  completely  by  surprise.  The 
flotilla  began  the  action  at  anchor,  but  it  was  soon  found  im- 
{Ktssible  to  keep  the  boats  steady,  and  most  of  them  weighed, 
and  got  out  their  sweeps,  by  means  of  which  the  guns  were 
kept  bearing  in  the  right  direction.  The  defence  of  the  frigate 
was  very  feeble,  and  after  discharging  tM'o  or  three  broadsides, 
she  got  under  way,  but  the  wind  was  too  light  to  enable  her 
either  to  close,  or  to  haul  off.  This  vessel  was  in  a  very 
critical  situation,  and  owed  her  escape  in  a  great  measure  to 
her  consorts ;  for,  after  a  severe  cannonade  of  more  than  an 
hour,  one  of  the  ships  below  was  enabled  to  close,  when  a  much 
sharper  contest  occurred.  But  the  wind  increasing,  and  the 
third  ship  drawing  near.  Captain  Tarbell  made  a  signal  for  tho 
flotilla  to  retire. 

In  this  affair,  most  of  the  boats  were  conducted  with  spirit. 
Their  fire  was  well  directed,  and  they  treated  the  upper  ship 
quite  roughly.  The  fire  of  this  vessel  was  extremely  feeble, 
and  it  appears  to  have  done  no  execution  whatever.  That  of 
*he  second  ship,  however,  was  very  animated,  and  it  was  par- 
ticularly well  directed.  Although  the  loss  of  the  Americans  in 
men  was  small,  consisting  of  only  one  master's  mate  killed, 
and  two  men  wounded,  the  enemy's  grape  flew  around  them 
in  great  numbers.  One  boat  received  a  bad  shot  between  wind 
ni'.d  water,  and  several  had  their  sweeps  shot  away,  or  were 
otherwise  injured.  The  gun-boat  commanded  by  Mr.  Nantz, 
the  sailing-master,  was  crippled,  and  in  danger  of  being  cap- 
tured by  the  enemy,  when,  by  order  of  Captain  Tarbell,  she 
was  taken  in  tow  by  the  boat  commanded  by  Lieutenant  W. 
B.  Shubrick,  of  the  Constellation,  and  brought  off. 

The  frigate  first  engaged  was  thought  to  be  the  Narcissus 
32,  and  the  vessel  that  came  to  her  relief,  the  Junon  38,  Cap- 
tain Saunders.  This  experiment  had  the  effect  to  convince 
most  of  the  sea-officers  engaged  on  board  the  gun-boats,  of  the 
bad  qualities  of  that  description  of  vessel,  they  having  been 
very  generally  found  wanting  in  a  sufficient  degree  of  steadi- 
ness  to  render  their  fire  certain,  even  in  smooth  water.  The 
recoils  of  the  guns  caused  them  to  roll  to  a  degree  that  rendered 


'  1 


320 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1813. 


[ 


the  aim  uncertain,  and  it  has  been  scon  tliat  they  could  only 
be  kept  in  the  pro|)or  positions  by  the  aid  of  sweeps. 

The  next  flood,  a  largo  force  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of 
fourteen  sail,  came  into  the  Roads,  and  an  attack  was  expected. 
On  the  20th,  the  enemy's  ships  weighed,  and  ascended  with 
the  tide  to  the  mouth  of  James  river,  where,  in  the  allernoon, 
they  were  seen  making  preparations  to  send  up  a  largo  Ibrce 
in  boats.  As  so  much  depended  on  the  defence  of  the  batte- 
ries of  Crancy  Islond,  Captain  Cassin,  who  commanded  tho 
naval  force  at  Norfolk,  sent  throe  of  the  lieutenants  of  the  Con- 
stellation, Messrs.  Neale,  W.  Ikanford  Shubrick,  and  Sunders, 
on  shore,  with  100  seamen,  to  take  charge  of  tho  principal 
guns.  This  party  was  sustained  by  Lieutenant  Breckenridge, 
of  the  marines,  and  about  60  men  of  that  gallant  corps.  Most 
of  the  officers  of  the  navy  then  at  Norfolk,  and  who  did  not 
belong  to  the  frigate,  were  also  employed  in  the  gun-boats,  or 
about  the  island. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  tho  22d,  the  enemy  was  discovered 
landing  a  large  force  round  the  point  of  the  Nanscmond  ;  and 
about  8  A.  M.,  the  barges  of  the  vessels  of  war  attempted  to 
land  in  front  of  Craney  Island,  at  a  point  where  they  were  salb 
from  the  fire  of  the  gun-boats,  though  exposed  to  that  of  tho 
seamen's  battery.  Mr.  Neale  now  opened  his  fire,  which  was 
directed  with  great  coolness  and  precision  ;  and,  allcr  having 
three  of  his  boats  sunk,  the  enemy  abandoned  the  attempt. 
The  narrative  of  the  remainder  of  the  operations  of  this  day, 
belongs  to  the  general  history  of  the  war,  rather  than  to  a  work 
of  this  character. 

The  ofiicers,  seamen,  and  marines  of  the  Constellation,  as 
well  as  the  other  portions  of  the  navy  em[)loyed  on  this  occa- 
sion, gained  great  cscdit  for  their  steadiness,  discipline,  and 
spirit.  One  of  the  barges  sunk  was  said  to  have  been  a  pecu- 
liar boat,  called,  from  the  great  number  of  oars  she  rowed,  tho 
Centipede.  She  was  described  as  having  been  fifty  feet  long, 
and  as  having  contained  75  men.  About  40  prisoners  were 
made  from  the  boats  that  were  sunk,  though  the  total  loss  of 
the  enemy  who  were  opposed  to  the  seamen  and  marines,  is 
not  known.  Captain  Cassin,  in  describing  the  fire  of  tlu;  sea- 
men's battery,  observed  that  it  resembled  the  shooting  of  rifle- 
men. There  is  no  doubt  that  the  enemy  found  it  much  too 
cool  and  direct  to  be  faced. 

The  government  had  fitted  out  several  small  vessels  for  tho 
defence  of  the  bays  and  rivers,  and  among  others  were  the 


1813.] 


NAVAL    II I  B  T  O  R  Y 


321 


of 


Scorpion  and  Asp.  On  tho  14th,  thcwj  two  litllo  cniisorN  got 
undor  way  from  tho  Yonooiriico,  luui  Htood  out  into  (ho  river, 
when,  lit  10  A.  M.,  n  considoniblo  fnr<;n  of  thotmotny  wan  hoou 
in  c.hiiHO.  Tho  Scorpion,  on  l)oar<l  of  which  wuh  lh(5  senior 
oHicor,  imniodiutoly  mudo  u  wignal  I'or  iho  Asp  to  »ict  at  diHcro- 
tion,  and  l)C({Qn  to  beat  up  tho  rivor.  Tho  AHp  being  n  dull 
sailer,  her  commander,  Mr.  Sigoiirney,  thought  it  expedient  to 
re-enter  tho  creek.  IIo  was  followed  by  two  brigH,  which 
anchored  off  tho  bar,  nnd  hoiNtcd  out  their  lK)ut8.  Mr.  Hi- 
gournoy  now  deemed  it  moro  prudent  to  run  higher  up  tho 
Yeocomico;  and  an  tho  enemy  woh  already  pulling  in,  ho  cut 
•his  cable  and  made  sail.  Three  boats  soon  after  attacked  tho 
Asp,  which  mudo  a  very  gallant  dofonco,  and  handsomely 
beat  them  ofF.  The  enemy,  however,  reinforced,  anil  renewed 
the  attack  with  five  boats,  when  Mr.  Sigourney  ran  the  Asp 
on  shore,  and  was  boarded  by  about  BO  miuj,  who  succeeded 
in  carrying  her.  Sho  was  set  on  firo  and  abandoned,  but  Mr. 
M'Clintock,  tho  officer  second  in  command,  got  on  Ijoard  hor 
again,  and  succeeded  in  extinguishing  the  (lames.  In  this 
filiuir,  Mr.  Sigourney  was  itilleJ,  dying  sword  in  hand  in  do. 
fence  of  his  vessel,  in  a  manner  to  reflect  tho  highest  credit  on 
his  professional  training  and  personal  gallantry.  Tho  Asp  had 
but  two  or  thrco  light  guns,  and  a  crow  of  21  souls.  Of  tho 
latter,  10  wcro  killed,  wounded,  and  missing:  facts  that  attest 
the  gallantry  of  the  defence. 

While  these  events  were  occurring  at  the  south,  some  move- 
ments farther  north  brought  a  part  of  the  enemy's  force  within 
tho  waters  of  Long  Island  Sound,  where,  with  occasional 
changes  of  ships,  it  continued  to  the  close  of  tho  war.  After 
the  United  States  had  refitted  at  New  York,  on  her  return 
from  the  cruise  in  which  she  had  captured  tho  Macedonian, 
Commodore  Decatur  prepared  to  sail  again,  with  tho  latter 
frigate  in  company.  The  Hornet  being  about  to  go  to  sea,  at 
tho  same  time,  in  order  to  join  the  Chesapeake,  Captain  Law- 
rence, tho  thrco  vessels  got  under  way,  and  passed  Hell  Gate 
on  the  27th  of  May,  with  a  view  to  run  ofT  tho  coast  between 
Montauk  and  Block  Island.  It  was  June  tho  1st  Ixjfore  tho 
ships  found  an  opportunity  to  pass  through  the  Race :  but  they 
wcro  met  near  the  end  of  the  island  by  a  greatly  su(»crior 
force,  and  were  chased  into  New  London.  Here  all  three  of 
the  vessels  were  closely  blockaded,  nor  was  cither  of  the  fri- 
gates able  to  get  to  sea  during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  though 
opportunities  were  long  and  anxiously  sought.     In  the  end. 


,^. 


MMla 


\ 


322 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


their  officers  and  people  were  transferred  to  other  vessels.  It 
will  give  an  idea  of  the  great  importance  that  ought  to  be  at- 
tached to  the  means  of  raising  blockades,  when  it  is  rcmem- 
bered  that,  while  watching  the  three  American  vessels  which 
then  lay  in  the  Thames  above  Now  London,  the  enemy  also 
had  it  in  his  power  to  blockade  the  most  important  point  on  the 
continent  connected  with  the  coasting  trade. 

About  this  time,  also,  a  small  brig  called  the  Viper,  which 
had  been  put  into  the  service  under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant 
John  D.  Henley,  was  taken  by  the  Narcissus  32,  under  cir- 
cumstances that  require  no  particular  description. 

In  January,  1814,  the  Alligator,  another  small  schooner, 
commanded  by  Mr.  Basset,  a  sailing-master,  was  lying  at 
anchor  off  the  coast,  abreast  of  Cole's  Island,  and  observing 
an  enemy's  frigate  and  brig,  just  without  the  breakers,  Mr. 
Basset  suspected  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  on  him  in 
the  course  of  the  night.  Preparations  to  receive  the  enemy 
were  made  accordingly.  About  half-past  7  in  the  evening,  six 
boats  were  discovered,  under  cover  of  the  marsh  grass,  pulling 
up  with  muffled  oars.  When  near  enough,  they  were  hailed, 
and  a  musket  was  fired  at  them.  The  boats  now  made  a  ge- 
neral discharge  of  musketry  and  grape,  which  the  Alligator 
immediately  returned.  The  schooner  then  cut  her  cable,  and 
availing  herself  of  a  light  breeze,  she  was  immediately  brought 
under  command  of  her  helm.  By  this  promptitude,  Mr.  Bas- 
set succeeded  in  beating  off  his  assailants,  notwithstanding  the 
schooner  soon  after  grounded.  The  Alligator  bad  2  nion 
killed,  and  2  wounded,  while  the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  never 
known.  The  schooner  had  but  40  men  on  board,  while  the 
boats  are  thought  to  have  contained  about  100.  Of  the  latter, 
the  loss  must  have  been  severe,  or  they  would  not  have  aban- 
doned the  attack  after  the  Alligator  had  grounded.  The  firing 
continued  half  an  hour,  and  the  schooner  was  a  good  deal  cut 
up  in  her  sails  and  rigging.  A  largo  cutter,  that  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  one  of  the  boats  of  the  enemy  on  this  oc- 
casion, was  shortly  after  picked  up  on  the  North  Edisto,  much 
injured  by  shot.  The  bodies  of  one  officer  and  of  a  common 
seaman  were  also  found  near  by.  Tho  former  had  lost  an 
arm,  besides  receiving  a  musket-shot  wound.  Mr.  Basset  was 
promoted  for  his  gallantry. 

The  in-shore  war  at  the  south  was  distinguished  by  many 
other  little  exploits,  resembling  those  already  related ;  one  of 
which,  performed  under  the  eyes  of  Captain  Dent,  who  com- 


iei5.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


323 


manded  at  Charleston,  is  deserving  of  particular  notice.  Al- 
though it  will  he  advancing  the  time  to  a  jMiriod  near  the  close 
of  the  war,  it  may  he  related  here,  witli  a  view  to  present  to 
the  reader  most  oi'  these  isolated  instances  of  gallantry  in  onu 
picture. 

In  January,  1815,  while  Captain  Dent  was  at  the  North 
Edisto,  ho  ohtained  information  that  a  party  of  oflicers  and 
men,  belonging  to  the  llebrus,  Captain  Palmer,  was  watering 
on  one  of  the  islands  of  the  vicinity,  and  ho  directed  Mr.  Law- 
rence Kearny  to  proceed  outside,  with  throe  barges,  to  cut 
them  off,  while  a  party  of  militia  endeavoured  to  assail  them 
by  land.  The  frigate  was  at  anchor,  out  of  gun-shot ;  but  as 
soon  as  she  perceived  the  design  of  the  Americans,  she  fired 
guns,  and  made  other  signals  of  recall,  when  two  of  the  boats 
pulled  towards  her,  and  a  tender,  that  contained  a  strong  party, 
attempted  to  run  out  also.  Fortunately  the  wind  shifted, 
bringing  the  Hebrus  to  windward  of  the  American  barges, 
but  the  tender  to  leeward  of  them.  Discovering  his  advan- 
tage, Mr.  Kearny  determined  to  make  a  dash  at  the  latter,  re- 
gardless of  the  frigate  and  of  the  two  boats  thot  were  pulling 
off.  The  Hebrus,  perceiving  the  danger  in  which  her  tender 
was  placed,  now  made  the  greatest  exertions  to  save  her.  Shot 
were  fired  at  her  own  cutters,  to  drive  thorn  back  to  the  assist- 
ance of  the  tender ;  and  a  third  boat  was  sent  from  the  frigate 
with  the  same  object.  She  also  opened  her  fire  on  the  Ame- 
rican barges  with  some  effect,  one  of  her  shot  taking  off  the 
head  of  a  man  at  Mr.  Kearny's  side.  But  this  gallant  officer, 
disregarding  every  thing  but  his  oDJect,  laid  the  tender  aboard 
in  the  steadiest  manner,  and  carried  her  off,  directly  under  the 
guns  of  the  frigate  to  which  she  belonged.  The  Ilebrus's 
launch  was  also  taken,  her  people  having  hurried  on  board  the 
tender  when  the  alarm  was  given.  The  latisr  had  a  carron- 
ade  and  six  brass  swivels  in  her,  besides  other  arms. 

Mr.  Kearny  took  about  40  prisoners  on  this  occasion. 
The  Hebrus  intercepting  his  return,  by  the  way  he  had  como 
out,  he  carried  his  prize  to  the  South  Edisto. 

A  few  days  later,  Mr.  Kearny,  in  the  launch  of  the  Hebrus, 
with  a  crew  of  25  men,  wont  out  and  captured  a  tender  Ikj- 
longing  to  the  Severn,  having  on  Iward  between  30  and  40 
men.  Handsomer  exploits  of  tlie  sort  were  not  performed  in 
the  war. 

To  this  list  of  the  minor  conflicts,  may  bo  added  an  attack 
on  gun-boat  No.  160,  commanded  by  Mr.  Paine.    This  officer, 


324 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


who  then  held  the  rank  of  sailing-master,  was  convoying  a 
number  of  coasters  from  Savannah  to  St.  Mary's,  when  an 
expedition,  consisting  of  a  tender  full  of  men,  and  ten  boats, 
attacked  him  in  St.  Andrew's  Sound,  about  8  A.  M.  of  the  6th 
of  October,  1814.  After  a  short  cannonading  and  a  sharp 
discharge  of  musketry,  that  lasted  about  20  minutes,  the  enemy 
closed,  and  carried  the  boat  by  boarding.  There  were  but  16 
men  fit  for  duty  in  No.  160  at  the  time;  her  entire  comple- 
ment consisting  of  30  souls.  Mr.  Paine  was  badly  wounded, 
as  were  two  of  his  people.  The  enemy  suffered  severely,  the 
defence  having  been  spirited  and  obstinate. 

A  short  notice  of  the  warfare  in  the  Delaware  properly 
occurs  next.  This  bay  had  no  longer  the  importance  it  pos- 
sessed in  the  war  of  1775.  Philadelphia  had  now  lost  the 
distinction  of  being  the  commercial  and  political  cap'lal  of  the 
country ;  and  in  the  way  of  shipping,  several  ports  were  fast 
outstrippmg  it.  The  enemy,  consequently,  paid  much  less 
attention  to  these  waters  than  to  those  of  the  Chesapeake,  and 
to  other  points  of  more  interest.  The  length  of  the  river,  too, 
added  to  the  security  of  the  places  that  lie  on  its  banks,  and 
there  wrs  little  apprehension  of  any  serious  descent.  Still  a 
flotilla  consisting  of  gun-boats  and  block-sloops  had  been  equip- 
ped., and  it  was  put  under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant  Angus,  an 
officer  of  tried  spirit. 

On  the  29th  of  July,  1813,  Mr.  Angus  had  an  aflfair  with 
the  Junon  38,  and  Martin  16,  in  which  No.  121,  Mr.  Shead, 
was  taken,  after  a  handsome  resistance. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy's  ships  was  7  killed  and  12  wounded. 
No.  121  had  7  men  wounded. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 


In  the  summer  of  1814,  several  of  the  new  ships  were  put 
into  the  water :  among  them  were  the  Independence  74,  the 
Guerriere  and  Java,  44  each,  and  the  Wasp,  Frolic  and  Pea- 
cock, sloops  of  war.  The  Frolic  18,  Captain  Buinbridge,  had 
a  short  career,  having  been  chased  and  captured,  on  the  20th 
of  April,  1814,  by  the  Orpheus  36,  Captain  Pigot,  soon  after 


- 1  v'T.','-f,Tn.Vi?P':i-,T;warfr  i- 


1814.] 

she  got  out. 
most  of  her  guns 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


325 


There  was  no  action,  the  Frolic  having  thrown 
overboard  in  the  chase. 

The  Adams  28  had  been  cut  down  to  a  sloop  of  war  and 
lengthened,  at  Washington,  so  as  to  mount  28  guns  on  one 
deck,  under  the  law  of  1812.  She  succeeded  in  passing  the 
enemy's  ships  in  Lynnhaven  Bay,  on  the  night  of  the  18th  of 
January,  1814,  uuder  the  command  of  Captain  Morris,  and 
made  a  cruise  in  the  track  of  the  enemy's  East  Indiamen ; 
returning  to  Savannah  in  April.  Quitting  this  port  early  in 
May,  she  went  off  the  coast  of  Ireland,  when  she  was  hard 
chased,  on  different  occasions,  by  heavy  frigates. 

The  ship  had  now  been  near  two  months  in  a  cold,  foggy, 
damp  atmosphere,  and  the  scurvy  made  its  appearance  on 
board.  So  many  men  were  laid  up  with  this  terrible  disease, 
that  Captain  Morris  deemed  it  prudent  to  go  into  port.  At  4 
A.  M.  on  the  17th  of  August,  in  very  thick  weather,  the  Adams 
ran  ashore  on  the  Isle  of  Haute,  but  was  got  off  by  lightpn- 
ing.  It  was  found,  however,  that  she  made  ame  feet  of  water 
in  an  hour,  and  Captain  Morris  succeeded  in  getting  her  into 
the  Penobscot,  in  Maine,  as  high  up  as  Hampden,  which  is 
several  miles  above  Castiue. 

While  the  Adams  lay  ready  to  be  hove  out,  with  nothing  in 
her,  a  strong  expedition  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  troops  and 
vessels  of  war,  entered  the  river,  and  ascended  as  high  as 
Hampden.  A  small  force  of  militia  was  assembled,  and  a 
battery  was  mounted  with  the  guns  of  the  ship,  in  order  to  pro- 
tect her ;  but  the  irregular  troops  giving  way,  and  leaving  the 
seamen  and  marines  exposed  in  the  rear,  the  first  withe  '  mus- 
kets, nothing  remained  but  to  set  the  vessel  on  fire,  and  to 
make  a  retreat.  All  the  service  connected  with  the  ship  was 
performed  in  the  most  orderly  and  creditable  manner,  until  u 
part  of  the  country  was  reached  where  it  was  found  impossible 
to  subsist  the  men  in  a  body,  on  account  of  the  distance  be- 
tween the  inhabitants,  when  the  people  were  directed  to  break 
up  into  small  p'-rties,  and  to  make  the  best  of  their  way  ta 
Portland.  It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  being  recorded,  that  every 
man  rejoined  his  commander,  though  a  fatiguing  march  of  two 
hundred  wr'es  was  necessary  to  do  so. 

The  ship  had  made  many  prizes  during  this  cruise,  most  of 
which  were  destroyed. 

While  the  Adams  was  thus  running  the  chances  of  chases 
and  shipwreck,  the  Wasp  18,  Captain  Blakely,  sailed  from 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  on  a  cruise.   A  letter  from  Captain  Blakely 
28 


^wr'nttf^r 


326 


NAVAL    HI  STORY. 


[1814. 


.■*■ 


announced  that  he  was  in  the  offing,  on  the  1st  of  May,  1814, 
with  a  fine  breeze  at  N.  W.  He  ran  off  the  coast  without 
molestation,  and  soon  appeared  near  the  chops  of  the  English 
Channel,  where  he  began  to  repfjat  the  ravages  caused  by  the 
Argus.  The  position  of  the  ship  now  exacted  the  utmost  vigi- 
lance, as  she  was  in  the  very  track  of  the  enemy.  At  a  quar- 
ter past  4  A.  M.,  on  the  88th  of  June,  1814,  the  Wasp,  then 
cruising  in  lat.  48°  36'  N.,  long.  11°  15'  W.,  made  two  sail, 
a  little  forward  of  the  lee-beam.  The  weather  was  fine,  the 
wind  light,  and  the  water  exceedingly  smooth  for  that  sea. 
After  keeping  away  in  chase,  another  stranger  was  discovered 
on  the  weather-beam,  when  the  ship  was  immediately  brought 
by  the  wind,  in  order  to  close  with  her,  it  being  obviously  ex- 
pedient for  the  American  vessel  to  select  the  antagonist  that 
had  the  most  weatherly  position.  At  10  the  chase  showed 
English  colours,  and  began  to  make  signals.  At  noon  her  sig- 
nals were  repeated,  and  she  fired  a  gun.  The  Wasp  did  not 
go  to  quarters  until  15  minutes  past  1 ;  and  soon  after,  believ- 
ing he  could  weather  the  chase.  Captain  Blakely  tacked.  The 
stranger  also  tacked,  and  stood  off,  no  doubt  to  preserve  the 
weather-gage.  The  Wasp  now  showed  her  ensign,  and  fired 
a  gun  to  windward.  The  enemy,  a  large  man-of-war  brig, 
gallantly  answered  this  defiance.  The  Wasp  immediately  set 
her  light  canvass  to  close,  when,  at  32  minutes  past  2,  the  en- 
emy tacked,  and  began  to  draw  near.  The  American  now 
took  in  her  light,  sails,  and  tacked  in  her  turn ;  the  English 
vessel  still  maintaining  her  weatherly  position,  and  making 
sail  to  close. 

At  17  minutes  past  3,  the  enemy  was  on  the  weather-quar- 
ter of  the  Wasp,  distant  about  sixty  yards,  when  he  fired  his 
shifting-gun,  a  twelve-pound  carronade  mounted  on  a  topgal- 
lant forecastle.  Two  minutes  later  he  fired  again ;  and  the 
discharges  were  repeated  until  the  gun  had  been  deliberately 
fired  five  times  into  the  Wasp,  at  that  short  distance,  and  in 
unusually  smooth  water.  All  this  time  the  Wasp  could  not 
bring  a  gun  to  bear ;  and  finding  that  the  enemy  drew  ahead 
very  slowly.  Captain  Blakely  put  his  helm  down,  and  made  a 
half-board,  firing  from  aft  forward,  as  the  guns  bore.  He  now 
hauled  up  the  mainsail,  and  the  two  ships  being  necessarily 
very  near,  every  shot  told.  But  the  fire  of  the  Wasp  was  too 
heavy  to  be  borne,  and  the  brig  ran  her  aboard,  on  her  star- 
board-quarter, at  40  minutes  past  3,  her  larboard  bow  coming 
foul.    The  English  now  made  several  trials  to  pnier  the  Wasp, 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


327 


led  by  their  viommandcr  in  person,  but  were  repulsed  with 
steadiness  and  without  confusion.  Two  or  three  desperate 
eftbrts  were  repeated,  but  with  the  same  want  of  success,  when, 
at  44  minutes  past  3,  Captain  Blakcly  gave  the  order  in  turn, 
to  go  on  board  the  Englishman,  and  in  one  minute  the  flag 
of  the  latter  was  lowered.  On  the  part  of  the  enemy,  this  action 
lasted  28  minutes ;  on  the  part  of  the  Wasp,  19  minutes,  in- 
cluding the  time  employed  in  boarding. 

The  prize  was  his  Britannic  Majesty's  sloop  of  war  Rein- 
deer 18,  Captain  Manners.  The  Reindeer  was  an  ordinary 
thirty-two-pounder  brig,  but,  like  the  Peacock,  her  armament, 
when  taken,  was  of  twenty-four-pound  carronades.  She 
mounted  18  guns,  besides  the  shilling  carronadc,  and  had  a 
complement  on  board  of  118  souls.  Her  loss  was  25  killed, 
and  42  wounded;  10  of  the  latter  dangerously.  Among  the 
slain  was  Captain  Manners ;  and  the  first  lieutenant  and  mas- 
ter were  wounded.  The  Wasp  had  5  men  killed,  and  22 
wc  ided.  Two  midshipmen,  both  of  whom  subsequently  died, 
were  among  the  latter.  The  Reindeer  was  literally  cut  to 
pieces,  in  a  line  with  her  ports ;  her  upper  works,  boats,  and 
spare  spars  being  or  3  entire  wreck.  A  breeze  springing  up 
next  day,  her  foremast  fell.  The  Wasp  was  hulled  six  timesi 
and  she  was  filled  with  grape.  The  principal  loss  she  sustain- 
ed in  men,  however,  was  in  repelling  the  attempt  to  board. 

Captain  Blakely  put  a  portion  of  his  wounded  prisoners  on 
board  p.  neutnl,  and  proceeded  himself  to  I'Orient,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  8th  of  July,  with  the  remainder.  The  prize 
was  burned,  on  account  of  the  great  danger  of  recapture. 

After  a  detention  in  port  until  the  27th  of  August,  the  Wasp 
sailed  on  another  cruise.  Two  prizes  were  made  when  a  few 
days  out ;  and  on  the  lot  of  September  she  cut  a  vessel,  loaded 
with  guns  and  military  stores,  out  of  a  convoy  of  ten  sail, 
that  was  under  the  care  of  the  Armada  74 ;  but  was  chased 
off  by  the  enemy,  in  an  attempt  to  seize  another.  On  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  while  running  free,  four  sail  were 
seen  nearly  at  the  same  time,  of  which  two  were  on  the  lar- 
board, and  two  on  the  starboard  bow.  The  latter  being  farthest 
to  windward,  the  Wasp  hauled  up  for  the  most  weatherly.  At 
7  P.  M.,  the  chase  began  to  make  signals,  with  flags,  lanterns, 
rockets,  and  guns.  Thesv  the  Wasp  disregarded,  but  kept  stead- 
ily approaching.  At  20  minutes  past  9,  she  had  the  enemy 
on  her  lee  bow,  within  hail,  and  a  gun  was  fired  into  him. 
The  shot  was  returned,  when  Captain  Blakely  put  his  helm 


\ 


328 


N  \y  AL    HISTORY. 


ri8i4. 


up,  and  passed  to  leeward,  under  an  apprehension  that  the  en- 
emy might  attempt  to  escape,  for  it  was  blowing  fresh,  and  the 
ship  was  runnmg  ten  knots.  This  was  easily  effected,  the  en* 
emy  being  still  in  doubt  as  to  the  character  of  the  V/asp,  both 
vessels  hailing.  As  soon  as  she  had  got  the  desired  position, 
however,  the  American  ship  poured  in  a  broadside,  and  a  warm 
engagement  commenced  at  29  minutes  past  9.  The  firing  was 
close  and  severe,  though  the  combat  had  the  usual  embarrass- 
ments of  a  night  action.  By  10  o'clock,  notwithstanding  the 
darkness  and  the  swell  that  was  on  at  the  time,  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  had  ceased,  and  Captain  Blakcly  hailed  to  ascertain  if 
ho  had  surrendered.  Receiving  no  answer,  and  a  few  guns 
being  fired  oii  board  the  English  vpssel,  the  Wasp  poured  in  a 
fresh  broadside;  but  at  12  minutes  past  lU,  perceiving  that  the 
enemy  did  not  fire  any  longer,  he  was  again  hailed,  with  a  de- 
mand to  know  if  he  had  surrendered.  The  answer  was  in  the 
affirmative,  and  the  Wasp  lowered  a  boat  to  take  possession. 
Before  the  latter  reached  the  water,  however,  the  smoke  having 
blown  away,  another  vessel  was  seen  astern,  coming  up  fast, 
when  the  boat  was  run  up,  the  people  were  again  sent  to  the 
guns,  and  the  Wasp  was  brought  under  command,  in  readiness  to 
receive  this  second  antagonist.  At  36  minutes  past  10,  two 
more  sail  were  seen  astern,  and  it  became  necessary  to  aban- 
don the  prize.  » 

The  helm  of  the  Wasp  was  now  put  up,  and  the  ship  ran 
ofT  dead  before  the  wind,  in  order  to  reeve  new  braces,,  and  in 
the  hope  of  drawing  the  nearest  vessel  farther  from  her  con- 
sorts. This  vessel  continued  the  chase,  until  she  got  quite 
near,  when  she  hauled  her  wind  across  the  stern  of  the  Wasp, 
delivered  a  broadside,  and  made  stretches  to  rejoin  the  cap- 
tured vessel,  which,  by  this  time,  was  firing  guns  of  distress. 
It  would  have  been  easy  for  the  second  vessel  to  run  alongside 
of  the  Wasp,  but  the  urgent  situation  of  her  consort,  probably, 
prevented  the  experiment. 

As  the  Wasp  left  her  prize  so  suddenly,  she  had  no  means 
of  learning  her  name  or  loss.  She  had  herself  but  two  men 
killed,  and  one  wounded,  the  latter  by  a  wad ;  a  circumstance 
that  proves  the  closeness  of  the  combat.  She  was  hulled  four 
times,  had  a  good  many  grape  in  her,  and  was  much  cut  up 
aloft.  All  that  Captain  Blakely  could  state  concerning  his 
■enemy,  was  his  impression  that  she  was  one  of  the  largest 
brigs  in  the  British  navy.   The  four  shot  that  hulled  the  Was^, 


"wniwwww  ^7wii.»7i^<(r^^^ 


1811] 


NA^'AL    Hi  STORY. 


329 


weighed  each  just  32  pounds.  She  had  many  hands  in  her 
tops,  and  otherwise  appeared  to  be  strongly  manned. 

It  is  no\  known  that  the  vessel  captured  by  the  Wasp,  waa 
the  Avon  IH,  Cai)tain  Arbuthnot.  The  brig  that  followed  the 
Wasp,  and  fired  into  her,  was  the  Castilian  10.  The  Avon 
was  so  much  injured  that  she  sunk,  and  it  was  with  great 
difliculty  that  the  other  vessel  saved  her  people.  By  some  ac- 
counts indeed,  a  few  of  the  wounded  were  lost.  The  loss  of 
men  on  board  the  Avon  is  not  accurately  known,  the  state- 
ments varying  from  30  to  50.  The  vessel  was  cut  up  in  an 
extraordinary  maimer.  She  is  believed  to  have  mounted  18 
thirty-two-pound  carronades,  with  the  usual  chase  guns,  and 
to  have  had  a  crew  of  120  men  in  her. 

The  action  between  the  Wasp  and  the  Avon  occurred  on 
the  1st  of  September,  1814,  (sea-time,)  in  lat.  47°  30',  N. 
long.  11°  W.  September  the  12ih,  in  lat.  38°  2',  N.,  and 
long.  14°  68',  W.,  the  former  ship  took  the  brig  Three  Bro- 
thers, and  scuttled  her.  September  14th,  in  lat.  37°  22',  N., 
long.  14°  33',  W.,  she  took  the  brig  Bacchus,  and  scuttled  her. 
September  the  21st,  in  lat.  33°  12',  N.,  long.  14°  56'  W.,  she 
took  the  brig  Atalanla  8,  with  19  men.  As  this  was  a  valua- 
ble prize,  Mr.  Geisingcr,  one  of  the  midshipmen  of  the  Wasp, 
was  put  on  board  her,  and  she  was  sent  to  America.  The 
Atalanta  arrived  safely  at  Savannah,  Nov.  4th,  and  brought 
the  last  direct  intelligence  that  was  ever  received  from  the  re- 
gretted Blakely  and  the  Wasp.  Various  accounts  have  been 
given  of  the  manner  in  which  she  was  probably  lost,  but  no- 
thing that  can  be  deemed  authentic  has  ever  been  ascertained. 

An  incident  occurred  a  few  years  after  the  last  direct  intelli- 
gence was  received  from  this  gallant  ship,  that  suddenly  and 
keenly  revived  the  interest  of  the  public  in  her  fate,  which 
had  begun  to  settle  into  a  saddened  sympathy  with  the  friends 
of  those  who  had  perished.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Acting 
Lieutenant  M'Knight,  and  Mr.  Lyman,  a  master's  mate,  both 
of  the  Essex,  had  been  exchanged  by  Captain  Hillyar,  and 
taken  to  Rio  de  Janeiro,  in  the  Phoebe,  with  a  view  to  make 
certain  affidavits  necessary  to  the  condemnation  of  the  Ameri- 
can frigate.  These  gentlemen,  after  remaining  some  time  in 
Brazil,  took  passage  in  a  Swedish  brig  bound  to  England,  as 
the  only  means  of  getting  homo.  A  long  time  [jassing  without 
any  intelligence  from  Mr.  M'Knight  and  his  companion,  in- 
quiries were  set  on  foot,  which  terminated  in  asce'-taining  this 
fact,  and,  subsequently,  in  finding  the  master  of  the  Swedish 
28* 


T 


330 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1814. 


brig,  who  proved  by  his  loc-book  and  other  documents,  that 
ho  had  fallen  in  with  the  Wasp  18,  Captain  Blakcly,  when 
liis  two  passengers  seized  the  occasion  to  put  themselves  under 
the  flag.* 

The  Peacock  18,  Captain  Warrington,  went  to  sea  from 
New  York,  in  March,  1814,  and  proceeded  to  the  southward, 
as  far  as  the  Great  Isaacs,  cruising  in  that  vicinity  and  along 
the  Florida  shore,  to  Cape  Carnavoral.  On  the  201'-'  of  April, 
in  lat.  27°  47',  N.,  long.  80°  9',  W.,  throe  sail  were  made  to 
windward,  under  convoy  of  a  large  brig  of  war.  The  mer- 
chantmen hauled  up  to  E.  N.  E.,  and  the  sloop  of  war  edged 
away  for  the  American  ship.  The  two  vessels  were  soon 
alongside  of  each  other,  when  a  close  action  commenced.  The 
Peacock  received  two  thirty-two-pound  shot  in  the  quarter  of 
her  fore-yard,  from  the  first  broadside  of  the  enemy,  which 
rendered  the  head-sails  nearly  useless.  This  injury  compelled 
the  Peacock  to  fight  running  large,  and  prevented  much  ma- 

*  Extracts  from  the  Journal  kept  on  hoard  the  Swedish  brig  Adonis,  during 
a  voyage  from  Rio  de  Janeiro  towards  Falmouth,  in  the  year  1814. 

'-  August  23. — Left  Rio  de  Janeiro  ;  Stephen  Decatur  M'Knight,  and 
James  Lyman,  passengers  for  England. 

"October  9th,— In  lat.  18°  35'  N.,  long.  30°  10'  W.,  sen  account,  at  8 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  discovered  a  strange  sail  giving  chase  to  us,  and 
fired  several  guns;  she  gaining  very  fast.  At  half-past  10  o'clock  hove 
to,  and  was  boarded  by  an  ofliccr  dressed  in  an  English  doctor's  uniform, 
the  vessel  also  hoisted  an  English  ensign.  The  officer  proceeded  to  ex- 
amine my  ship's  papers,  &.c.  &c.,  likewise  the  letter-bags,  and  took  from 
one  of  them  a  letter  to  the  victualling-office,  London,  rinding  I  had  two 
American  officers  as  passengers,  he  immediately  left  the  ship,  and  went 
on  board  the  sloop  of  war ;  ho  shortly  after  returned,  took  the  American 
gentlemen  with  him,  and  went  a  second  time  on  board  the  sloop.  In 
about  half  an  hour,  he  returned  again  with  Messrs.  M'Knight  and  Lyman, 
and  they  informed  me  that  the  vessel  was  the  United  States  sloop  of  war 
the  Wasp,  commanded  by  Captain  Bleaky,  or  Blake,  last  from  France, 
where  she  had  refitted  ;  had  lately  sunk  the  Reindeer,  English  sloop  of 
war,  and  another  vessel  which  sunk  without  their  being  able  to  save  a 
single  person,  or  learn  the  vessel's  name,  —  that  Messrs.  M'Knight  and 
Lyman  had  now  determined  to  leave  me,  and  go  on  board  the  Wasp— paid 
me  their  passages  in  dollars,  at  58. 9d.,  and  having  taken  their  luggage  on 
board  the  Wasp,  they  made  sail  to  the  southward.  Shortly  after  they 
had  left,  I  found  that  Lieutenant  M'Knight  had  left  his  writing-desk  be> 
hind ;  and  I  immediately  made  signal  for  the  Wasp  to  return,  and  stood 
tc«?ards  her ;  they,  observing  my  signals,  stood  back,  came  alongside,  and 
sent  their  boat  on  board  for  the  writing-desk ;  after  which  they  sent  me  a 
log-line  and  some  other  presents,  and  made  all  sail  in  a  direction  for  the 
line ;  and  I  have  reason  to  suppose  for  the  convoy  that  passed  on  Thurs- 
day previous." 


1814.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


331 


noBUvring,  tho  combat  boing  oiFcctually  decided  by  gunnery. 
At  tho  end  of  42  minutcH,  tho  enemy  struck. 

Tho  prize  was  II.  13.  M.  bri^  Eporvier  18,  Captain  Wales. 
The  Eporvier  was  extensively  injured,  ha^'ing  received  no  less 
than  45  shot  in  her  hull,  and  had  22  me  t  killed  and  wounded. 
Her  main-topmast  was  over  tho  side,  bur  main  boom  was  shot 
away,  her  foremast  totteri.ig,  her  bowsprit  badly  wounded, 
standing  rigging  much  cut,  and  she  had  live  feet  water  in  her 
hold.  The  Peacock  recoivrd  very  little  injury  ;  that  done  tho 
fore-yard  being  fhc  principal ;  while  her  hull  escaped  almost 
entirely,  i^ol  a  round  shot  touching  it.  No  person  was  killed, 
and  only  two  men  were  wounded. 

Tho  Peacock  wus  a  heavier  vessel  than  tho  Epervier,  while, 
as  usual,  the  disparity  in  the  loss  was  infmitely  greater  than 
Ihat  in  tho  force.  Tlio  metal  was  nominally  the  same ;  but,  if 
the  shot  of  tho  Peacock  were  as  short  of  weight  as  those  of  the 
Wasp  are  known  to  have  been,  she  threw  at  a  broadside  only 
twenty  pounds  of  metal  more  than  her  antagonist.  The  Eper- 
vier mounted  18  thirty-two-pound  cailronades,  and  it  would 
seem  had  no  chase  guns;  her  crew  consisted  of  128  men. 
On  board  this  vessel  were  found  $118,000  in  specie. 

In  one  hour  after  the  retreat  from  quarters  was  beat,  the 
Peacock  had  her  fore-yard  fished,  and  in  all  respects  was 
ready  again  to  engage.  The  Epervier  struck  about  11  A.  M., 
and  by  sunset  she  was  in  a  condition  to  carry  sail.  It  was 
only  by  the  greatest  exertions,  however,  that  she  was,  at  first, 
kept  from  sinking. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Nicolson,  tho  first  lieutenant  of  the  Peacock,  was 
put  in  charge  of  the  prize,  with  directions  to  make  the  best  of 
his  way  to  Savannah.  The  southern  coast  was  then  much 
infested  by  the  enemy,  and,  as  Captain  Warrington  knew  that 
she  was  liable  to  be  brought  to  action  at  any  moment,  he  de- 
termined to  convoy  his  prize  into  port.  On  the  evening  of  the 
29th  of  April,  or  the  day  of  the  capture,  the  vessels  made  sail, 
and  the  next  afternoon  they  were  abreast  of  Amelia  Island, 
when  two  frigates  were  discovered  at  the  northward,  and  to 
leeward.  At  Mr.  Nicolson's  request.  Captain  Warrington 
now  took  all  the  prize  crew  from  the  Epervier  but  that  gentle- 
man and  sixteen  officers  and  men,  intending  to  send  the  prize 
into  St.  Mary's,  and  to  haul  to  the  southward  with  the  Pea- 
cock, to  lead  the  enemy  oflf  the  coast.  This  plan  succeeded, 
the  Peacock  getting  rid  of  the  frigate  that  chased  her  next  day. 
The  Epervier,  while  subsequently  running  along  the  coast,  on 


332 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1814. 


her  way  to  Savannah,  however,  fell  in  with  the  other  frigate, 
and  keeping  close  in,  in  shoal  water,  the  wind  b<!ing  ligfit,  the 
enemy  manned  hin  boats,  and  sent  them  in  'jhaso.  Tliiire  was 
a  moment  when  the  pri/c  was  in  groat  danger  of  lulling  into  the 
hands  of  her  pursuers,  for  the  l)outs  got  quite  near,  in  her  wake. 
In  this  critical  situation,  Mr.  Nicolson  had  recourse  to  o  slro- 
tagem  to  keep  them  off.  He  used  the  trumixjt  as  if  full  of 
men,  and  when  the  boats  were  the  nearest,  ho  issued  an  order, 
in  a  very  loud  voice,  to  make  a  yaw,  in  order  to  lire  a  broad- 
side. This  appearance  of  a  readiness  to  engage  intimidated 
the  enemy,  who  abandoned  his  attempt  at  a  moment  when  ho 
might  have  carried  the  Epervier  with  little  or  no  loss.  On  the 
1st  of  May  the  brig  arrived  safely  at  Savannah,  and,  on  the 
4th,  the  Peacock  came  in  also.  Mr.  Nicolson's  steadiness  and 
ingenuity  were  much  applauded. 

Shortly  after,  the  Peacock  sailed  on  a  cruise  for  the  enemy's 
seas,  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  the  coast  of  Portugal,  and  among  the 
Islands,  constantly  changing  her  position  to  elude  the  English 
squadrons.  After  passing  over  some  of  the  best  cruising 
ground  in  the  Atlantic,  the  ship  returned  to  Nev  York,  nt  the 
end  of  October,  without  having  fallen  in  with  an  enemy  of  a 
force  proper  for  her  to  engage.  She  captured,  however,  14 
sail  of  merchantmen. 

The  President  44  continued  to  cruise  under  the  orders  of 
Commodore  Rodgers,  and  the  Congress  38  under  those  of  Cap- 
tain Smith,  with  a  similar  want  of  success,  when  the  merits  of 
their  commanders  were  considered.  These  two  fine  frigates 
traversed  the  Northern  Atlantic,  in  a  variety  of  directions,  in 
company  and  singly,  and  yet  it  was  never  the  good  fortune  of 
either  to  fall  in  with  an  enemy,  that  could  be  brought  to  ac- 
tion. The  latter  ship  even  went  south  of  the  equator,  and 
one  of  her  cruises  extended  to  et^ht  moaths  ;  but  her  luck  did 
not  vary. 

In  one  of  his  cruises  Commodore  Rodgers  captured  an  ene- 
my's man-of-war  8cJKX>ner.  called  the  Highflyer,  drawing  her 
imder  his  guns  by  «i  urtifice,  and  this  was  the  only  English 
man-of-war  that  h<?  took  during  his  command  of  this  ship. 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY, 


333 


»   I 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 


It  would  exceed  the  limits  of  a  work  of  this  nature,  to  enter 
into  a  minute  relation  of  all  the  skirmishes  to  which  the  preda- 
tory  warfare  of  the  English,  in  the  Chesapeake,  gave  rise ;  but 
it  is  duo  to  tho  officers  and  men  employed  against  them,  to 
furnish  an  outline  of  their  services.  On  various  occasions, 
parties  from  tho  ships  had  conflicts  with  the  detached  militia, 
or  armed  citizens,  who  were  frequently  successful.  Although 
it  is  a  little  anticipating  events,  it  may  be  mentioned  hero,  that 
in  ono  of  these  skirmishes.  Captain  Sir  Peter  Parker,  of  tho 
Menelaus,  was  killed,  and  his  party  driven  off  to  its  ship.  In 
several  other  instances,  captures  were  made  of  boats  and  their 
crews ;  the  people  of  the  country  frequently  displaying  a  cool- 
ness and  gallantry  that  wore  worthy  of  trained  soldiers.  On 
tho  whole,  however,  the  vast  superiority  of  the  enemy  in  num- 
bers, and  his  ability  to  choose  his  time  and  place  of  attack, 
gave  the  English  the  advantage,  and  their  success  was  usually 
in  proportion. 

The  government  had  equipped  a  large  flotilla,  to  protect 
those  waters,  t\\y  command  of  which  was  given  to  Capt.  Josh. 
Barney,  tin  «»rficer  who  so  much  distinguished  himself  by  the 
capture    f  tb<^  Monk,  during  the  war  of  the  revolution. 

The  '•vsti  ace  of  Captain  Barney's  flotilla  compelled  the  ene- 
my to  Sue  wore  guarded,  and  his  small  vessels  became  cautious 
about  approaching  the  shallow  waters  in  calms,  or  in  light 
winvis.  On  the  1st  of  June,  this  active  and  bold  officer  left 
th<(;  Patiixent,  with  the  Scorpion,  two  gun-boats,  and  several 
larj:^^  barges,  in  chase  of  two  schooners.  He  was  closing  fast, 
by  means  of  sweeps,  when  a  large  ship  was  discovered  to  the 
southward.  Just  at  Ibis  moment  the  wind  shifted,  bringing 
the  enemy  to  windward,  blowing  fresh  and  becoming  squally. 
Signal  was  made  for  the  flotilla  to  return  to  the  Patuxen%  as 
the  weather  was  particularly  unfavourable  for  that  description 
of  force,  and  the  ship  proved  to  bo  a  two-decker.  On  re-en- 
tering the  river,  the  wind  came  ahead,  when  the  gun-boats 
began  to  sweep  up  under  the  weather  shore.  One  of  the  latter 
being  in  some  danger,  Captain  Barney  anchored  with  the  Scor- 
pion and  the  other  boats,  and  opened  a  fire,  which  immediately 


334 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1814. 


drove  the  enemy's  schooners  out  of  the  river.  On  this  occa- 
sion, the  EnglisFi  pushed  a  barge  in  front  which  began  to  throvk^ 
Congrcve  rockets.  By  this  essay,  it  was  found  that  the  rockets 
could  be  thrown  farther  than  shot,  but  that  they  could  not  be 
directed  with  any  certainty.  The  ship  of  the  line  anchored  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent ;  the  enemy's  barges  kept  hovering 
about  it,  and  the  American  flotilla  was  anchored  about  three 
miles  within  the  river. 

Between  the  4th  and  8th  of  June,  the  enemy  was  joined  by 
a  rasee  and  a  sloop  of  war,  when  Captain  Barney  removed 
his  flotilla  up  the  river,  to  the  mouth  of  St.  Leonard's  creek. 
On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  British  were  seen  coming  up 
the  river,  the  wind  being  fair,  with  a  ship,  a  brig,  two  schoon- 
ers, and  fifteen  barges,  which  induced  Captain  Barney  to  move 
up  the  St.  Leonard's  about  two  miles,  when  he  anchored  in  a 
line  abreast,  and  prepared  to  receive  an  attack.  At  8  A.  M. 
the  ship,  brig,  and  schooners  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  the 
creek,  and  the  barges  entered  it,  with  the  rocket-boat  in  ad- 
vance. 

Captain  Barney  now  left  the  Scorpion  and  the  two  gun-boats 
at  anchor,  and  got  his  barges,  13  in  number,  under  way,  when 
the  enemy  retreated  towards  their  vessels  outside.  In  the  af- 
ternoon, the  same  manoBuvre  was  repeated,  the  enemy  throw- 
ing a  few  rockets  without  effect.  '    ■ 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  9th,  the  ship  of  the  line  having  sent 
up  a  party  of  men,  the  enemy  entered^the  creek  again,  with 
20  barges,  but  after  a  sharp  skirmish  he  retired.  The  object  of 
these  demonstrations  was  probably  to  induce  the  Americans  to 
burn  their  vessels,  or  to  venture  out  within  reach  of  the  guns 
of  the  ships  ;  but  the  flotilla  was  commanded  by  an  officer 
much  too  experienced  and  steady  to  be  forced  into  either  mea- 
sure without  sufficient  reason.  On  the  11th,  a  still  more  seri- 
ous  attempt  was  made,  with  21  barges,  having  the  two  schoon- 
ers in  tow.  Captain  Barney  met  them  again,  and,  after  a 
sharper  encounter  than  before,  drove  them  down  upon  their 
larger  vessels.  On  this  occasion,  the  pursuit  was  continued, 
until  the  rasee,  which,  by  this  time,  had  ascended  the  Patuxent, 
and  the  brig,  opened  a  fire  on  the  Americans.  In  this  affair, 
the  English  are  thought  to  have  suffered  materially,  especially 
one  of  the  schooners.     A  shot  also  struck  the  rocket-boat. 

Some  small  works  were  now  thrown  up  on  the  shore,  to 
protect  the  American  flotilla,  and  the  blockade  continued."  In 
the  mean  time.  Captain  Miller,  of  the  marine  corps,  joined  the 


i 


„,-.™.-.J 


1814.] 


naVal   history 


335 


to 

In 

the 


flotilla,  and  a  considerable  force  of  militia  was  collected  under 
Colonel  Wadsworth,  of  the  ordnance  service.  The  enemy 
had  also  brought  a  frigate,  in  addition  to  the  rasec,  off  tho 
mouth  of  the  creek.  The  largest  of  these  vessels  was  be- 
lieved to  bo  tho  Severn,  and  the  smallest  tho  Narcissus  92. 
On  tho  26th,  an  attempt  was  made  by  the  united  force  of  tho 
Americans  to  raise  the  blockade.  The  cannonade  was  close, 
for  the  species  of  force  employed,  and  it  lasted  two  hours, 
when  the  Severn  cut,  and  was  run  on  a  sand-bank  to  prevent 
her  sinking.'"'  It  is  said  that  a  raking  shot  ripped  a  plank  from 
her  bow,  and  placed  her  in  imminent  danger.  Shortly  after, 
in  company  with  the  Narcissus,  she  dropped  down  the  river, 
and  went  into  the  bay.  In  this  handsome  aflliir,  the  flotilla 
lost  13  men  in  killed  and  wounded;  but  <t  eflfectually  raised 
the  blockade,  and  induced  tho  enemy  to  be  more  cautious. 

The!  portion' of  the  flotilla  that  was  in  the  Patuxent.  re- 
tnaiiied  in  that  river  untilthe  middle  of  August,  when  the 
etiorny  commenced  that  series  of  movements,  Which  terminated 
in  his  advance  upon  Washington.  On  the  16th,  Captain  Bar- 
ney received  intelligence  that  the  British  were  coming  up  tho 
Patuxent  in  force,  when  he  sent  an  express  to  the  navy  de- 
partment for  instructions.  The  answer  was  to  land  the  men, 
and  join  the  army  that  was  hurriedly  assembling  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  coast,  under  General  Winder,  and,  if  pressed,  to 
burn  the  flotilla. 

On  the  2l8t,  the  news  was  received  that  tho  enemy  had 
landed  a  force  of  four  or  Ave  thousand  men  at  Benedict,  and 
that  he  was  marching  in  the  direction  of  the  capital.  Captain 
Barney  immediately  landed  400  of  his  party,  leaving  the  ves- 
sels in  charge  of  Mr.  Frazier,  with  orders  to  set  fire  to  them, 
if  attacked,  and  to  join  the  main  body  with  as  little  delay  as 
possible.  The  next  day  t^is  order  was  executed,  a  strong  de- 
tachment of  seamen  and  marines  approaching  the  flotilla  to 
attack  it. 

On  the  22d,  Captain  Barney  joined  the  assemblage  of  armed 
citizens,  that  was  called  an  army,  at  the  Wood-Yard.  The 
next  day  he  marched  into  Washington,  and  took  up  his  quar- 
ters  in  the  marine  barracks. 

After  a  good  deal  of  uncertainty  concerning  the  movements 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  understood  he  was  marching  directly  os 
Washington,  and  that  it  was  intended  to  fight  him  at  Bladenn 


*  By  some  accouats  this  ship  was  the  Loire. 


V 


\ 


336 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


burgh.  The  flotilla>men  and  marines  leA  the  Yard  on  the 
morning  of  the  24th ;  thoy  arrived  at  the  battle-ground  on  a 
trot,  and  wore  immediately  drawn  up  about  a  mile  to  the  west 
of  Bladensburgh,  holding  the  centre  of  General  Winder's  po- 
sition. Ailer  a  short  skirmish  in  front,  where  the  enemy  suf- 
ferod  severely  in  ci'ossing  a  bridge,  the  militia  fell  buck,  and 
the  British  columns  appeared,  following  tho  line  of  the  public 
road.  The  entire  force  of  the  flotilla-men  and  marines,  was 
about  500  men ;  and  they  had  two  eightcens,  and  throe  twelve- 
pounders,  ship's  guns,  mounted  on  travelling  carriages.  Cap- 
tain Barney  took  command  of  tho  artillery  in  |)erson,  while 
Captain  Miller  had  the  disposition  of  the  remainder  of  the  two 
parties,  who  were  armed  as  infantry.  The  marines,  78  men 
m  all,  formed  a  line  immediately  on  the  right  of  the  guns, 
while  370  of  the  seamen  were  drawn  up  a  little  in  the  rear, 
and  on  the  right  flank  of  tho  marines,  on  ground  that  permit- 
ted them  to  fire  over  the  heads  of  the  latter.  Although  the 
troops  that  were  falling  back  did  not  halt.  Captain  Barney  held 
his  position ;  and  as  soon  as  the  enemy  began  to  throw  rockets, 
he  opened  on  him  with  a  sharp  discharge  of  round  and  grape. 
Tho  column  was  staggered,  and  it  immediately  gave  ground. 
A  second  attempt  to  advance  was  repulsed  in  the  sumo  man- 
ner, when  the  enemy,  who,  as  yet,  had  been  able  to  look  down 
resistanco  by  advancing  steadily  in  column,  was  obliged  to 
make  an  oblique  movement  to  his  left,  into  some  open  iields, 
and  to  display.  Here  he  threw  out  a  brigade  of  light  troops, 
in  o|)en  order,  and  advanced  in  beautiful  stylo  upon  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Barney,  while  the  head  of  a  strong  column 
was  seen  in  reserve  in  a  copse  in  its  rear.  Captain  Miller, 
with  the  marines,  and  that  portion  of  the  seamen  who  acted  as 
infimtry,  met  tho  charge  in  the  most  steady  and  gallant  man- 
ner, and  after  a  short  conflict,  drove  the  British  light  troops 
back  upon  their  supporting  column.  In  this  conflict  the  Eng- 
lish commanding  officer,  in  advance.  Colonel  Thornton,  with 
his  second  and  third  in  rank.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wood,  and 
Major  Brown,  wore  all  wounded,  and  left  on  the  field.  The 
marines  and  seamen  manifested  tho  utmost  steadiness,  though 
it  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  light  troops  brought  up 
in  their  front,  amounted  to  about  600  men. 

There  can  be  no  question,  that  a  couple  of  regular  regi- 
ments would  now  have  given  the  Americans  the  day ;  but  no 
troops  remained  in  line,  except  the  party  under  Captain  Bar- 
ney, and  two  detachments  on  his  right,  that  were  well  posted. 


*■  T  >r*  ■'  ~'^^^\'^'^ '  ■ , 


1814.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


337 


Having  been  so  roughly  handled,  the  enemy  ma>]e  no  newi 
ottetn[)t  to  ndvunco  directly  in  front  of  tho  seamen  and  ma- 
rines, but,  ufler  forcing  the  troops  on  their  right  from  tho  field, 
by  tt  demonstration  in  that  direction,  they  prepared  to  turn  ti)e> 
rear  of  Captain  Barney,  in  order  to  surround  him.  While 
these  movements  were  going  on  in  front,  and  on  the  right  of 
the  Americans,  a  party  of  light  troops  had  been  thrown  out 
on  the  enemy's  right,  and  the  militia  having  abandoned  the 
ground,  they  were  also  beginning  to  close  upon  the  Americans 
that  stood.  By  this  time.  Captain  Barney,  Captain  Miller,  and 
several  other  officers  were  wounded ;  and  victory  being  impos- 
sible, against  odds  so  great,  an  order  was  given  to  commence 
u  retreat.  Tho  defence  had  been  too  obstinate  to  admit  of  car- 
rying oir  the  guns,  which  were  necessarily  abandoned.  All 
tho  men  retired,  with  tho  exception  of  the  badly  wounded ; 
among  the  latter,  however,  were  Captain  Barney  and  Captain, 
Miller,  who  both  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  The  loss  of  the 
*otter  in  front  of  the  seamen  and  marines,  was  near  800  men, 
<i  killed  and  wounded.  Of  tho  marines,  nearly  one-third 
were  among  the  casualties ;  and  the  flotilla-men  suffered  con- 
siderably, though  in  a  smaller  proportion. 

The  people  of  the  flotilla,  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Bar- 
ney, and  the  marines,  were  justly  applauded  for  their  excellent 
conduct  on  this  occasion.  No  troops  could  have  stood  bettor ; 
and  the  fire  of  both  artillery  and  musketry  has  been  described 
as  to  the  last  degree  severe.  Captain  Barney  himself,  and 
Captain  Miller,  of  the  marine  corps,  in  particular,  gained  much 
additional  reputation ;  and  their  conspicuous  gallantry  caused 
a  deep  and  general  regret,  that  their  eflbrts  could  not  have  been 
sustained  by  the  rest  of  the  army. 

As  the  enemy  took  possession  of  Washington,  a  perfectly 
defenceless  straggling  town  of  some  eight  or  nine  thousand 
inhabitants,  that  evening,  and  a  considerable  force  in  ships 
was  ascending  the  Potomac,  it  was  thought  necessary  to  de- 
stroy the  public  property  at  the  navy  yard.  At  that  time,  a 
frigate,  of  the  first  class,  called  tho  Columbia,  was  on  tho 
stocks;  and  tho  Argus  18,  and  Lynx  12,  had  not  long  been 
launched.  A  small  quantity  of  stores  and- ammunition  had 
been  removed,  but  on  the  night  of  the  24th,  fire  was  commu- 
nicated to  the  remainder.  It  is  difficult  to  say  why  the  ves- 
sels afloat  were  not  scuttled,  a  measure  that  would  hove 
allowed  of  their  being  raised,  as  it  would  have  been  impossible 
for  the  enemy  to  injure  ships  in  that  state,  and  equally  so  to 
29 


"■■.■■■■■   f  "'■ ■-n.--,-.,'-" 

'.'•;"  '.,''■':',•  "^'-'T"  ■■-'-j^i'-^'W' 


r.';--«.??riTf«';f*^''"''t'!'>?'7fi^!«r7^'T"B 


338 


Naval  history. 


11814. 


romovo  Ihom.  Indood  tho  oxpodi«Mic.y  of  srt(iiii(  liro  to  any 
thing  lias  hvn  qurstionoil,  Niticn  tho  cnntny  hiniNi'll'  ooiild  not 
very  '  )ily  hiivodomunom.  It  i!^,h()WOV(^r,justtor«imtiinhor,fhMt 
tho  -udrn  Witront  of  tho  Knglish  could  not  Imvohiuin  fort^sonn, 
find  thnt  thoy  had  u  connniindini^  niivtil  forco  in  tho  I'otoninc. 
The  loss  in  vcssoIh  wns  not  avv.nl ;  tho  Columbia  44,  on  tho 
stocks,  and  tho  Argus  18,  Iwuig  tho  only  two  destroyed  tlwu 
woro  of  any  voluo.  Tho  Lynx  o«ca|)od ;  ond  it  wouJtl  wcin 
that  tho  enemy  was  in  too  great  a  liurry  to  do  her  any  injury. 
On  this  occasion,  tho  Hoaton  28  was  burned;  but  tho  Hhin 
iiad  Ikm^h  previously  condemned.  The  hulk  of  the  Now  York 
80  escajMul ;  but  a'l  tho  naval  Hlores  were  conHnmed. 

To  aid  in  resiafing  those  dosconts  which  woro  lu'lirved,  at 
tit?  time,  fo  Ik)  made  by  a  force  greatly  exceeding  that  actually 
employed,  tho  officers  and  men  of  tlw;  navy,  wlio  woro  in  tho 
vicinity,  were  collected  on  tho  shorOH  of  tho  (!lu\Mapeake. 
O.mmodoro  Uodgers,  with  the  crow  of  tho  (^oK'rriero  44,  then 
neorly  ready  for  sea,  was  withdrawn  from  lMiila(lel|)hia ;  ('ap- 
tain  rerry,  of  the  .Fava  44,  which  ship  was  fitting  at  Hallimore, 
and  C'aplain  Porter,  with  other  g<«ntlenKin  of  tho  H(!rvic(>,  had 
been  ju'tiv«ily  employed  on  tho  banks  of  the  I'oloinac,  in  en- 
deavouring to  interc»'pt  tho  return  of  the  British  ships  that  had 
ascended  to  Alexandria ;  u  duty  that  could  not  bo  elli'cled, 
however,  for  want  of  means  and  time.  Tho  guns  at  cormnand 
were  altogether  too  light.  Sonu?  lighting  occurred.  8(;veral 
gallant  nttcnipts  with  lire-ships  were  made,  but  tlu-  enemy's 
movements  wei*e  too  rapid,  to  allow  of  tho  necessary  pn^para- 
tions  in  n  country  so  thinly  settled,  and  almost  destitute  of 
military  supplies.  In  tho  course  of  this  service.  Commodore 
Uodgers  repelled  an  attack  on  a  small  party  of  less  tliim  50 
men,  that  was  made  by  the  eremy  iti  an  attempt  to  cut  oil"  a 
lighter  and  a  fire-vessel,  on  which  occasion,  Mr.  Nowcomb, 
Mr.  Ramage,  Mr.  Forrest,  and  Mr.  Stockton,  of  tho  (iuerri(M'e, 
were  conspicuously  useful.  These  gcnulemen  were  aiso  active 
in  endeavouring  to  fire  the  enemy's  sliips,  though  unsuccessful. 
Most  of  these  oflicers,  and  all  their  men,  were  ordered  to  Hulti- 
niore,  when  that  town  was  threatened. 

Baltimore  was  a  much  more  formida'-.o  place  to  assail  than 
Washington,  being  compact,  and  containing,  ut  that  time,  more 
than  40,000  souls.  Its  water  defences  were  respectable, 
though  it  had  no  other  fortifications  on  the  fiido  of  the  land, 
than  temporary  breastworks  of  earth.  The  seamen,  both 
of  the  ships  of  war  and  of  the  flotilla,  with  the  marinca  pre* 


■-Tisw-W-— .  ' 


18M.I 


NAVAL    II  IMTOH  V. 


:iai) 


I' 


Mont,  wi^i'o  »ll  iiiuU^r  tlii)  roiiiiniiud  of  OottimtMloi'd  K(Hl|;(urH, 
who  inaild  ii  jiKiiriiiiiM  'I  isiio.iitioii  of  iiis  forco. 

Tim  nintiiy  laiulnd  oarly  mi  tlx;  iVStli  of  H(i|)tnnnlior,  noiir  a 
l>lii(vi  (7iiII(m|  North  l*oiiit.  WhilnthiN  wuh  l!liill;tin^,  Iho  MritiNh 
iVigiitiiH,  nIoo|)h,  luiil  hoinl)'>VL'NN(!lH,  iitulcr  Iho  coiniiiuud  of 
()ii|itiiiii  NoiM'sc,  of  Ihi:  Hovoni,  |iro(',on(l<!<|  up  tho  l'iitu[)N<;o, 
with  (I  viow  to  (ttinrioiifulo  ami  hotithard  tho  wator  dolonci'M  of 
Dm  town.  Vicro-Admiral  CJochraim,  and  Knur-Admiral  IVlal- 
<'oUn,  worn  with  thin  N<|itadron.  A  hri^adn  ol'  Ncaiimii  accoiii* 
)aiii('(l  tho  anny,  wndor  Captain  ('rolloii.  With  this  party 
tfar-A(hniral  (Jockhiirn  huidod  in  pornon,  Thu  IroopN,  art  at 
VVdHhin^^lon,  W(M'o  Ntd  hy  Major  (luncral  U<jhh. 

Ai^cr  pni(*('(<din^  about  fivo  niiloN,  a  xinali  udvaiKvuI  party 
of  tho  local  tnililiu  inorrK.-ntariiy  olmckod  tho  inarch  oi'  tho 
('iii'iny,  (ailing  hack,  a^rooahly  to  ordors,  whriii  it  Ibund  it^tolf 
ahoiit  to  li(!  Niirroiindcd.  In  tho  trilling  Hkirrnish  that  (mciirrcil 
at  thiN  Npot,  Major  <ioii<!ral  Uonh  wuh  killed.  A  Nharpor -(in* 
couiit(<r  took  |)lacn  Nhorlly  allor,  in  which  tho  AniericaiiH  had 
uhoiit  1500  inctn  (■n^a^od.  On  IIiIh  oc.cuhIoii,  tho  tnililiu  had 
24  nion  killod,  and  12U  wotUKkid,  'J'hoy  lost  uIho,  1  oHlcor 
and  41)  privat<!H,  priHoimrN.  Acctirding  to  tho  uc(;ountH  of  tho 
ciu'iny,  h(!  Ion!  in  both  alliiirn,  2li()  in  killed  utid  woundud. 
{Shortly  allor  tho  N(;(;ond  NkirniiMh,  tho  J<!n^liHh  rolroutod  to  llu} 
pluco  of  debarkation,  and  abandonod  tho  ontorpriHo.  Tlio 
arin(;d  (riti/onn  of  Hallitnoro  and  itN  vicinity,  <!onipoMcd  tho  forco 
that  mot  tho  ononiy  on  thi.s  occaMioii. 

Tho  attack  hy  wator  waH  <;f|nally  unsnccciMnful.  Fort 
M'f  Icnry  was  bombarded  (or  twenty-four  hourn,  without  making 
any  HcriouH  impro.sHion  on  it.  A  Hinall  battery  in  udvanct.*, 
manned  by  olIicxirH  .iiid  men  of  tho  flotilla,  although  much  ex- 
pos(;d,  r(.'turn(!d  the  firo  to  the  laHt.  In  th<!  (jourHc  of  the  nij^ht, 
a  Htrong  brigade  of  boats  ()UHhed  into  tho  F(;rry  Uran«'-li,  ami 
would  hav(!  gainful  tli(!  harbour,  had  it  not  b(;en  received  by  u 
warm  fire  from  Forts  ('ovington  and  Uubcock,  as  well  as  from 
tho  barges  of  the  flotilla.  The  defe'iico  was  found  to  Ijo  Ujo 
obstinate,  and  the  enemy  retn-'ated.  Fort  (^ovington  wan 
manned  by  HO  searrKm  of  tho  (iuerricire,  under  Mr,  N(!Wcomb, 
n  very  excellent  young  officer  of  that  ship;  and  Mr.  Webster, 
n  sailing-master,  with  50  men  of  the  flotilla,  was  in  tho  six- 
gun  battery  culled  Habcock.  The  barges  were  under  tho 
orders  of  Lieutenant  Rutter,  tl.o  senior  oflicer  pn.'sent,  in  that 
branch  of  tho  servicjc.     All  these  gentlemen,  and  their  several 


^: 


340 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[I8I4. 


commands,  distinguished  themselves  by  their  steadiness  and 
efficiency. 

The  barges,  in  particular,  though  exposed  for  nearly  a  day 
and  a  nif  ht  to  the  shells  and  rockets  of  the  enemy,  maintained 
their  p'  on  with  unflinching  firmness,  and  when  more  closely 
altavik-  .  rvjpellod  the  attempt  with  ease.  At  a  most  critical 
momont,  several  vessels  were  sunk  in  the  channel,  which  would 
have  completely  prevented  the  enemy  from  bringing  up  his 
heavy  ships,  had  he  seen  fit  to  attempt  it.  The  duty  was  per- 
formed  with  coolness  and  expedition  by  Captain  Spence. 

This  failure  virtually  terminated  the  warfare  in  the  Chesa- 
peake, the  enemy  shortly  after  collecting  most  of  his  forces  at 
the  south,  with  a  view  to  make  a  still  more  serious  attempt  on 
New  Orleans,  Small  predatory  expeditions,  however,  con- 
tinued in  this  quarter,  to  the  close  of  the  war,  though  they  led 
to  no  results  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  mentioned.  This 
warfare  was  generally  beneficial  to  the  American  government ; 
the  excesses  into  which  the  enemy  were  led,  whether  inten- 
tionally or  not,  having  the  effect  to  disgust  that  portion  of  the 
population  which  had  lx!en  seriously  averse  to  the  conflict ; 
and  the  administration  was  probably  never  stronger,  than  after 
the  wanton  destruction  of  the  public  buildings  at  Washington. 
About  this  time.  Captain  Barney  was  exchanged,  and  he  re- 
sumed his  former  command,  less  than  half  of  his  flotilla  having 
been  destroyed  in  the  Patuxent. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


The  movements  in  the  Chesapeake  were  made  by  a  force 
that  was  issembled  for  other  and  greater  objects.  The  prin- 
cipal ex}  edition  of  the  year  was  not  commenced  until  near  the 
close  of  the  season,  when  Admiral  Cochrane,  after  collecting, 
in  the  different  islands,  a  large  number  of  ships  of  war,  trans- 
ports, and  store-vessels,  suddenly  appeared  off  the  mouth  of 
the  Mississippi.  This  was  at  the  commencement  of  December, 
1814,  and  left  no  doubt,  of  a  design  to  make  a  formidable  at- 
tempt on  the  important  town  of  New  Orleans. 

The  defences  of  the  place,  with  the  exception  of  some  re- 


.■.■^^T«*'?J^?7'WT'T.'  • ' 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


341 


re- 


spectable fortifications  that  commanded  the  river,  were  of  a 
very  trifling  nature.  The  latter  were  formidable,  and  they 
rendered  it  necessary  to  make  either  a  descent  in  sorlne  of  the 
bayoux,  by  means  of  boats,  ov  to  destroy  the  works  by  bom- 
bardment. As  the  latter  required  time,  which  would  allow  the 
Americans  to  assemble  a  force  to  resist  the  invasion,  and  was 
of  doubtful  issue,  the  former  project  was  adopted. 

On  the  12th  of  December,  when  the  enemy's  fleet  first  made 
its  appearance  oft'  thf=!  entrance  of  Lake  Borgne,  a  division  of 
five  gun-boats  was  in  that  bay,  under  the  command  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Ap  Catesby  Jones,  then  a  young  sea-lieutenant.  As 
soon  as  apprised  of  the  appearance  of  the  enemy,  Mr.  Jones 
reconnoitred  his  force,  and,  having  ascertained  its  strength,  he 
retired  higher  into  the  bay,  with  a  view  to  take  a  position  to 
command  the  approaches  towards  the  town.  There  were  se- 
veral small  forts,  either  at  the  entrance  of  Lake  Ponchartrain, 
or  at  the  mouth  of  different  bayous,  or  creeks,  that  put  up  into 
the  low  swampy  grounds  below  New  Orleans,  and  it  was  the 
intention  of  Mr.  Jones  to  anchor  near  one  of  them,  at  a  place 
called  les  Petites  Coquilles.  His  vessels  consisted  merely  of 
gun-boats.  No.  5,  commanded  by  Mr.  Ferris,  a  sailing-master, 
and  mounting  5  guns,  with  a  crew  of  36  men  ;  No.  23,  Acting 
Lieutenant  M'Kecver,  5  guns  and  39  men ;  No.  156,  Lieu- 
tenant Commandant  Jones,  5  guns  and  41  men ;  No.  162, 
Acting  Lieutenant  Spedden,  5  guns  and  35  men;  and  No.  163, 
Mr.  Ulrick,  a  sailing-master,  3  guns  and  21  men ;  making  \ 
united  force  of  23  guns  and  183  men.  The  metal  varied,  some 
of  the  boats  having  two  long  heavy  guns,  others  but  one,  and 
all  having  two  or  three  short  lighter  pieces.  The  vessels  them- 
selves, like  all  gun-boats,  were  low,  easy  of  entrance,  slow  in 
their  movements,  and  totally  without  quarters. 

Some  movements  of  the  enemy,  who  appeared  with  a  large 
flotilla  of  barges  and  boats  in  the  bay,  induced  Mr.  Jones  to 
expect  an  attack,  on  the  13th,  and  he  got  under  way  from  the 
position  he  then  held,  at  3  30  P.  M.,  to  attain  les  Petites  Coquilles, 
as  mentioned,  A  small  tender,  called  the  Seahorse,  had  been 
despatched  into  the  Bay  of  St.  Louis,  a  short  time  previously,  to 
destroy  some  stores ;  and  about  4  o'clock  the  enemy  sent  three 
boats  in  after  her,  to  cut  her  out.  The  Seahorse  carried  one 
light  six-pounder,  and  had  but  14  men.  She  was  commanded 
by  Mr.  Johnson,  a  sailing-master.  A  few  discharges  of  grape 
drove  back  the  boats,  which  were  soon  reinforced,  however,  by 
four  more,  when  a  spirited  engagement  ensued.  This  was  the 
29* 


■\- 


342 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1614. 


commencement  of  actual  hostilities,  in  the  celebrated  expedition 
against  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Johnson  having  got  a  position, 
where  he  was  sustained  by  two  sixes  on  the  shore,  made  a 
handsome  resistance,  and  the  barges  retired  with  some  loss. 
A  few  hours  later,  however,  the  Seahorse  and  stores  were  set 
on  fire  by  the  Americans  themselves,  as  it  was  not  possible  to 
prevent  them  from  eventually  falling  into  the  hands  of  a  force 
as  formidable  as  that  brought  up  by  the  enemy.  Not  long 
after,  another  tender,  called  the  Alligator,  armed  with  a  four- 
pounder,  and  with  a  crew  of  only  8  men,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  English. 

About  1  A.  M.  on  the  14th,  ::je  flotilla,  which  had  been  en- 
deavouring to  gain  a  better  position,  was  compelled  to  anchor 
in  the  west  end  of  the  passage  of  Malbercux  Island,  on  account 
of  a  failure  of  wind  and  the  strength  of  the  current.  At 
daylight  the  boats  of 'the  enemy  were  seen,  having  brought  up 
about  three  leagues  to  the  eastward.  It  was  a  perfect  calm, 
and  a  strong  ebb  tide  setting  through  the  Pass,  no  alternative 
was  left  Mr.  Jones,  but  to  prepare  obstinately  to  defend,  or  to 
abandon  his  vessels.  He  gallantly  deterrtiined  on  the  first, 
although  the  force  that  would  be  brought  against  him  was 
known  to  bo  overwhelming.  Arrangements  were  accordingly 
made  to  resist  the  expected  attack  to  the  utmost.  It  had  been 
the  intention  to  form  the  five  gun-boats  with  springs  on  their 
cables,  directly  across  the  channel,  in  a  close  line  abreast,  but 
the  force  of  the  current  deranged  the  plan ;  Nos.  156  and  163 
having  been  forced  about  a  hundred  yards  down  the  Pass,  and 
that  much  in  advance  of  the  three  other  boats.  The  approach 
of  the  enemy  prevented  an  attempt  to  repair  this  great  disad- 
vantage, which  exposed  the  vessels  mentioned  to  being  assailed 
while,  in  a  measure,  unsupported  by  their  consorts.  When 
the  character  of  the  resistance  is  considered,  it  appears  pro- 
bable that  this  accident  alone  prevented  a  victory  from  having 
been  obtained. 

The  English  flotilla  consisted  of  between  40  and  50  barges 
and  boats,  the  former  expressly  constructed  for  the  purposes 
of  the  invasion,  and  they  are  said  to  have  mounted  42  guns, 
principally  carronades  of  the  calibers  of  12, 18,  and  24  pounds. 
The  number  of  men  embarked  in  these  boats  has  been  com- 
puted as  high  as  1200  by  some  accounts,  while  by  others  it 
has  been  put  as  low  as  400.  The  size  and  number  of  the 
barges,  however,  render  the  latter  account  improbable,  ten  men 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTOllY. 


343 


to  a  boat  being  altogether  too  few.  The  truth  would  most 
probably  lie  between  the  extremes. 

At  10  39,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  raised  his  grapnels  and  kcdgcs, 
and  forming  in  open  order,  in  a  line  abreast,  he  pulled  up  stea- 
dily to  the  attack.  When  near  enough  to  be  repched  by  shot, 
the  gun-boats  opened  a  deliberate  fire  on  the  approaching 
barges,  though  with  little  effect,  as  they  presented  objects  too 
small  to  1x5  aimed  at  with  any  accuracy.  At  11  10,  however, 
the  enemy  opened  a  fire  through  his  whole  line,  and  the  action 
immediately  became  general  and  destructive.  At  11  49,  the 
enemy  was  near  enough  to  make  an  attempt  to  board  156, 
which  vessel  was  much  exposed  by  her  advanced  position. 
Three  boats  dashed  at  her,  but  two  were  sunk,  and  the  attack 
was  repulsed.  It  was  renewed  by  four  boats,  which  were  also 
beaten  off  with  a  heavy  loss.  In  repelling  this  last  attack, 
Mr.  Jones  was  unfortunately  shot  down,  when  the  command  de- 
volved on  Mr.  Parker,  a  young  midshipman,  who  defended  his 
vessel  until  he  was  severely  wounded  himself,  and  was  over- 
powered by  numbers.  The  enemy  got  possession  of  No.  156 
at  12  10,  and  he  immediately  turned  her  guns  on  the  other 
American  boats.  No.  163  was  next  carried,  after  a  very  gal- 
lant resistance ;  and  No- 162  followed,  but  not  until  Mr.  Sped- 
den  was  severely  wounded.  The  twenty-four-pounder  of  No. 
5  had  been  dismounted  by  the  recoil,  and  the  fire  of  the  cap- 
tured boats  having  been  turned  on  her,  she  was  also  compolled 
to  submit.  No.  23,  Mr.  M'Keever,  was  the  last  vessel  ti'  ken, 
hauling  down  her  flag  about  12  30,  when  under  the  fire  of  the 
captured  boats,  and  all  the  enemy's  remaining  force.  Captain 
Lockyer  of  the  Sophie  comfanded  the  English  flotilla  on  this 
occasion,  assisted  by  Captain  Montresor  of  the  Manley,  and 
Captain  Roberts  of  the  Meteor. 

Although  the  loss  of  this  division  of  gun-boats  was  a  serious 
impediment  to  the  defence  of  New  Orleans,  both  the  country 
and  the  service  looked  upon  the  result  of  the  combat  as  a  tri- 
umph. On  the  latter,  in  particular,  the  resistance  made  by 
Mr.  Jones,  and  the  officers  and  men  under  his  orders,  reflected 
great  honour,  for  it  was  known  to  have  been  made  almost  with- 
out hope.  Circumstances  compelled  the  assailed  to  fight  to  great 
disadvantage,  and  it  would  seem  that  they  struggled  to  render 
their  chances  more  equal  by  a  desperate  but  cool  gallantry. 
In  consequence  of  the  character  of  this  defence,  it  is  usually 
thought,  in  the  service,  to  bestow  as  much  credit  on  an  officer 


V  -- 


i=rfrr  '-jr^  nxTfTtpjfr'  p**""^ 


T-.ff  ••■■^.vff!}-  \T'  ■ 


'  1 '"S  *■  *  sr^fT^;,  iji.  r 


344 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1814. 
>  have 


to  havo  been  present  ut  the  defeat  of  Lake  Borgno,  ai 
been  present  at  ti  signiil  victory. 

There  is  the  sutnu  tl.sagreement  in  the  published  accounts 
of  the  loss  of  the  British  on  thi.s  occasion,  us  in  the  [)ublishcd 
accounts  of  their  force.  It  was  the  opinioii  of  Lieutenant 
Coinniandunt  Jones,  wlio  was  carried  on  board  the  enemy's 
lleet,  tlmt  their  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to  nearly  400 ; 
while  other  prisoners,  who,  from  not  having  been  wounded, 
liud  perhaps  Ujtter  opportunities  for  ascertaining  fuels  of  this  na- 
ture, have  never  placed  it  lower  than  between  200  anil  5)00  men. 
Uy  the  olliciul  statement  ol'  tho  ejiemy,  as  published,  his  loss 
was  04.  As  even  this  was  more  than  half  tho  number  of  tho 
Americans  engaged,  it  proves  tho  galhuitry  of  the  resistance, 
but  it  is  believed  that  tho  true  account  was  varied  for  the  pur- 
poses of  eirect.  Tho  American  loss,  though  severe,  was  com- 
paratively trifling. 

The  commanil  of  the  naval  force  at  Now  Orleans  had  been 
given  to  Captain  Patterson,  one  of  the  young  oflicers  who  had 
been  a  prisoner  at  Tripoli  with  Captain  Bainbridgc.  Captain 
Patterson  was  a  master  commandant,  and  ho  was  assisted  by 
many  excellent  oll'cers ;  but  his  force  was  merely  intended  to 
command  the  river  and  tho  shallow  waters  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  town.  A  ship  called  the  Louisiana  had  been  purchased 
and  armed  with  10  long  twenty-fours.  Men  were  pressed  in 
the  streets  for  tho  emergency,  under  a  law  of  the  state,  and 
the  command  of  the  vessel  was  given  to  Lieutenant  C.  B. 
Thompson. 

The  enemy  finding  himself  in  command  of  Lake  Borgnc, 
by  the  capture  of  the  gun-boats,  sent  up  a  brigade  of  troops, 
under  Major  General  Keane,  which  succeeded  in  entering  a 
bayou,  and  in  landing  but  a  few  miles  below  the  town.  Here  he 
encamped,  after  advancing  to  some  hard  ground,  on  the  night  of 
the  23d  of  December,  with  his  left  Hank  resting  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi. No  sooner  was  the  position  of  tho  British  known  to 
the  Americans,  than  General  Jackson  marched  against  tl  "ki 
with  all  the  disposable  force  ho  could  assemble,  making  r  to- 
tal of  about  1500  men,  and  by  a  prompt  and  spirited  night 
attack  he  saved  New  Orleans.  The  movements  of  the  troops 
on  this  occasion,  were  preceded  by  Captain  Patterson's  drop- 
ping down  abreast  of  the  English  bivouac,  in  the  U.  S.  schooner 
Carolina  14,  and  opening  a  most  galling  fire<  The  excellent 
use  made  of  this  little  vessel,  on  the  23d,  as  well  as  her  con- 
tinuing to  threaten  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  materially  con- 


1815.] 


NAVAL    II  I  H  TO  IIY. 


345 


to 
m 

10- 

srht 


tributod  to  tho  general  success  of  the  (inmpni^'n,  llinre  being 
no  (jjestion  that  tho  cheek  reecivetl  by  the  K'^glish  in  tho  ac- 
tion just  mentioned,  alone  prevented  them  from  marching  into 
New  Orleans,  from  which  tpwn  they  were  distant  only  a  few 
miles.  It  had  l)oen  intended  that  the  Louisiana  should  join  in 
this  attack,  but  tho  ship  could  not  be  got  ready  in  time. 

A  Caw  days  later,  liowover,  tho  Carolina  was  very  critieally 
placed.  The  (inomy  had  landed  some  guns,  and  the  wind  hav- 
mg  blown  fresh  for  some  time  at  N.  N.  W.,  it  had  been  found 
impossible  to  ascend  tho  stream  against  a  current  that  was 
cvci  too  strong  for  warping.  The  armament  of  the  schooner 
consisted  only  of  twelve-pound  carronades,  and  one  long  gun 
of  the  same  calibre.  On  tho  morning  of  tho  iJTth,  the  wind 
being  ouito  light  at  tho  northward,  tho  enemy  opened  upon  the 
Carolina  with  liot  shot  and  shells,  from  a  five-gun  battery. 
Tho  cannonade  was  returned  from  tho  long  twelve,  the  only 
piece  that  could  bo  used,  but  the  schooner  was  soon  set  on 
fire,  beneath  her  cable  tiers,  and  a  littlo  after  sunrise  Captain 
Henley  was  compelled  to  give  orders  to  abandon  her.  Before 
this  could  be  cfFectcd,  7  men  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the 
vessel  was  much  injured  by  shot.  Shortly  after  the  crew  had 
got  on  shore,  the  Carolina  blew  up.  During  four  or  five  of 
the  most  critical  days  <jf  the  campaign,  this  little  vessel  ren- 
dered signal  service,  and  the  enemy  have  always  paid  a  just 
tribute  to  the  spirit,  judgment,  and  intrepidity  with  which  she 
was  managed.  Her  behaviour  on  tho  night  of  the  23d,  re- 
flected great  credit  on  Captain  Patterson,  and  on  all  under  his 
orders. 

The  Louisiana  was  now  the  only  vessel  in  the  river,  and 
she  covered  tho  flank  of  tho  American  lines.  On  board  this 
ship  Captain  Patterson  repaired,  aft<;r  the  loss  of  the  Cerolina. 
On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  an  advance  of  the  enemy  against 
the  American  troops,  drew  a  fire  from  and  upon  the  ship,  which 
was  maintained  for  seven  hours.  In  the  course  of  this  long 
cannonade,  the  Louisiana  threw  800  shot  among  the  enemy, 
suffering  v*  ry  little  in  return. 

After  the  destruction-  of  the  Carolina,  her  officers  and  people 
volunteered  to  man  some  of  the  heavy  guns  that  were  mounted 
on  the  American  lines,  and  they  had  a  share  in  all  the  subse- 
quent successes  obtained  on  shore.  Captain  Patterson  also  erect- 
ed a  battery  on  tho  right  bank  of  the  river,  which  was  put  up 
under  the  orders  of  Captain  Henley,  and  was  of  material  use. 
On  the  8th  of  January  the  English  made  their  grand  assault, 
and  were  defeated  with  dreadful  slaughter.    In  this  extraordi- 


346 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


(1815. 


nary  Baltic,  the  loss  of  tho  enemy  was  computed  at  from  two 
to  three  thousand  men ;  more  than  two  thousand  having  iMjen 
killed  und  wounded.  The  seamen's  battery  on  tho  right  hunk 
of  the  river  was  temporarily  abandoned,  but  the  Louisiana  was 
of  great  use,  and  tho  oflieers  and  men  of  tho  service  distin- 
guished themselves  by  their  activity,  zeal,  and  courage.  On 
this  occasion  Captain  llenley  was  wounded.  One  gun  in  par- 
ticular, commanded  by  Mr.  I'hilibert,  a  midshipman,  was  serv- 
ed in  a  manner  to  attract  general  attention.  The  Louisiana 
continu(!d  to  assist  in  annoying  the  enemy,  until  tho  night  of 
the  lyth,  when  the  English  retreated  to  their  l)outs,  and  em- 
barked, abandoning  their  attempt  altogether. 

Captain  Patterson  immediately  despatched  several  ofTiccrs, 
in  command  of  exjieditions,  to  intercept  und  annoy  the  enemy 
on  their  retreat,  though  tho  want  of  u  direct  communication 
between  tho  river  and  tho  lakes,  prevented  the  employment  of 
any  vessels  larger  than  boats,  on  this  service.  Mr.  Thomas 
Shields,  a  purser,  who  had  previously  been  a  sea-olhcer,  and 
who  had  6  boats  and  50  men  under  his  orders,  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  capture  ono  of  the  enemy's  largo  boats,  with  40  oili- 
cers  and  men  of  the  14th  light  dragoons,  and  14  seamen  on 
board.  After  securing  those  prisoners,  Mr.  Shields  captured 
a  barge  and  a  transport  schooner,  and  subsequently  five  other 
boats,  making  in  all  83  more  prisoners.  Some  skirmishing 
occurred,  and  Mr.  Shields  lost  one  or  two  of  his  prizes  and  a 
few  of  his  prisoners ;  but  he  succeeded  in  bringing  in  with  him 
78  of  the  latter,  besides  destroying  several  boats.  Mr.  John- 
son, a  sailing-master,  also  performed  some  service  of  the  same 
nature  with  credit,  destroying  a  transport  and  capturing  a  party 
of  men. 

In  all  the  important  service  performed  in  front  of  New  Or- 
leans, during  this  short  but  arduous  campaign,  the  navy  had 
a  full  share,  though  its  means  were  necessarily  limited.  Cup- 
tain  Patterson,  Captain  Henley,  Lieutenants  Jones,  Thompson, 
M'Keevor,  Spedden,  Cunningham,  Norris,  Crowley,  with  sev- 
eral sailing-masters  and  midshipmen,  distinguished  themselves 
on  different  occasions.  The  service  also  witnessed  with  par- 
ticular satisfaction  the  intelligence  and  spirited  conduct  of  Mr. 
Shields,  an  officer  who  had  received  his  training  in  its  own 
school.  The  marine  corps  had  its  share,  too,  in  the  honour 
of  this  glorious  campaign,  a  small  detachment  of  it  having 
acted  with  its  usual  good  conduct,  under  the  command  of  Ma- 
jor Carmick,  who  was  wounded  in  the  affair  of  the  28th  of 
December. 


i8ia.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


347 


I    I 


CHAPTER  XL. 


own 
nour 
Lving 

Ma. 
of 


We  have  now  reached  n  period  when  it  has  become  proper 
to  advert  to  events  on  the  dillerent  lakes,  which  were  the  scenes 
of  some  of  the  most  important,  as  well  as  of  the  most  interc3t< 
ing  incidents  of  the  war.  In  order  to  do  this ,  it  will  bo  necessary 
to  return  to  the  commencement  of  hostilit:  s,  for  the  whole  of 
this  portion  of  the  subject  has  been  reserved,  in  order  Ui  lay  it 
lioforc  the  reader  in  a  continued  narrative,  having  no  im' mediate 
connexion  with  the  war  on  the  ocean. 

The  English  government  had  long  maintained  a  small  nava? 
force  on  the  great  lakes ;  though  much  the  larger  portion  of 
Champlain  being  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  StateSj  it 
had  kept  no  cruiser  on  that  water.  On  Lake  On1.ro,  how- 
ever, there  were  several  vessels,  as  early  as  the  >  :orn«  lence- 
ment  of  the  century,  one  of  which  was  a  ship  called  the  Earl 
of  Moira.  When  the  American  government  caused  the  Oneida 
16  to  be  built,  that  of  the  Canadas  laid  down  the  keel  of  a  ship 
called  the  Royal  George,  which  was  pierced  for  22  guns, 
and  which  was.  about  one-half  larger  than  the  American 
vessel. 

The  Oneida  was  manned  and  equipped  at  the  declaration  of 
the  war,  and  was  still  under  the  command  of  Mr.  Woolsey, 
who  had  built  her  four  years  previously.  The  naval  station 
on  the  American  side  of  the  lake,  was  at  Sackctt's  Harbour,  a 
beautiful  and  safe  basin,  not  far  from  the  commencement  of 
the  St.  Lawrence ;  while  that  of  the  P  "tish  was  nearly  oppo- 
site, at  Kingston.  The  enemy,  howe  .r  md  greatly  the  ad- 
vantage in  ports,  those  of  the  north  shore  of  this  lake  being 
generally  the  most  commodious  and  easy  of  entrance,  though 
probably  not  as  numerous  as  those  i>f  the  south.  The  English 
also  possessed  a  material  advantage  over  the  Americans,  in 
all  the  warfare  of  this  region  of  country,  whether  on  the  water, 
or  on  the  land,  in  the  age  and  more  advanced  civilisation,  and, 
consequently,  in  the  greater  resources  of  the  settlements  on 
their  southern  frontier,  over  those  on  the  northern  frontier  of 
the  United  States. 

The  great  superiority  of  the  enemy  in  force,  notwithstanding 
his  known  inferiority  in  discipline  and  comparative  efficiency, 


«- 


348 


NAVAL    H  I  B  T  O  R  Y 


i\m' 


provontod  Lioutonimt  Coinmamlant.  WoolHoy  from  inviting  1ioh« 
tilitios,  which  worn  purniithHl  to  coniu  iVoni  tho  (Mutniy.  On 
thn  lUth  of  July,  or  (ihout  ti  month  iilhir  w(ir  wttH  dochirrd,  livu 
sail  wcro  disrovtn'oil  fn)nj  Iho  fori  lU  MiicUott's  Harbour,  a  low 
leaguos  in  tlui  oiling ;  and  MJiortly  allor,  tln^  captnrod  a  boat 
bolonging  to  the  cuHtoni-hcMiNO,  whicii  thny  Hunt  in,  with  a  du* 
niand  that  thu  Onuida  niiouhl  bo  Hurrondorod  to  thoni,  an  wolt 
as  a  schoonor  callod  thn  Lord  NoJHon,  that  had  boon  o.apturcd 
not  long  Iwlbi'o  by  tlio  brig.  Thu  Oaoida  now  got  undur  way, 
and  ran  down,  to  windward  of  tho  ononiv's  Hcpiadron,  to  try 
hor  sailing,  and,  if  pos.siblo,  to  pass  it,  with  a  viow  to  (vsoapo. 
Finding  tho  lattor  nn|)racticablu,  howovor,  Lioutonant  ('om- 
niautlant  VVoolauy  boat  back,  into  tho  harlumr,  and  anchorod 
his  brig  doso  undor  a  bank,  whoro  sho  coidd  rako  tho  ontranco. 
All  tho  guns  of  h<n'  oil'  sido  woi-o  landed  and  niounlod  on  tho 
shoro,  prosonting  a  forco  of  10  tw<uity-four-poun(l  carronados 
in  ballory.  On  a  hoight  that  conunandod  tho  oiling,  as  woll 
as  tho  ontranco,  was  a  sniiUl  fort ;  and  horo  a  long  thirty. two- 
poundor,  that  bad  boon  originally  intondod  for  tho  Oaoida,  ia 
licr  legal  character  of  a  gun-boat,  was  niouatod  ;  and  tho 
onoiny  still  roir-uning  oulsido,  Mr.  VVoolstsy  repaired  to  tho 
sj)ot,  and  took  ctiargo  of  ih.)  piooo  in  porson. 

Tho  ononiy  kept  turning  to  windward,  and  having  got 
within  gun-shot,  ho  oponod  a  slow,  irrt>gular,  and  ill-diroclod 
llro  on  tho  fort,  brig,  and  battorios.  llis  liro  was  roturnod  ; 
and,  allor  a  oannonado  of  about  two  hours,  tho  English  vossols 
boro  up,  and  stood  back  towards  Kingston.  This  was  tho 
oonnnonconicnt  of  hostilities  on  tho  lakes,  and  it  fully  proved 
tho  inoompotcncy  of  tho  ofllcors  in  chargo  of  tho  emuny's  lorcc, 
for  tho  duty  with  which  they  had  boon  entrusted.  'I'ho  English 
vessels  consisted  of  tho  Royal  Goorgo  iiU,  Prince  lli^gijnt  10, 
Karl  of  Moira  14,  Duke  of  Gloucester,  Seneca,  and  tho  Siincoo. 
On  the  pari  of  tho  Americans,  no  harm  was  done ;  while  tho 
enemy  is  believed  to  have  received  some  trifling  injuries. 

It  is  probablo  that  tho  govermnont  of  Canada  was  itself  dis- 
satisfied with  tho  result  of  this  lirst  experiment  of  its  naval 
forces,  for  soon  after  arrangcmenls  vvero  made  to  send  officors 
and  men  who  lx;longcd  to  the  royal  navy,  upon  tho  l.vdtes.  It 
was  apparent  to  both  nations,  that  tho  command  of  Iho  inland 
waters  was  of  great  importance  in  carrying  on  tho  war  of  tho 
frontiers,  and  each  of  tho  belligerents  commenced  systematio 
operations  to  obtain  it.  As  the  enemy  was  already  much  the 
strougcst  on  Ontario,  it  was  incumbent  on  tlie  American  go- 


1H19.] 


NAVAL      II  I  H  TO  II  V 


340 


tho 


tho 

alio 

the 

go- 


vnrnmoiit  lo  tuku  tho  firNt  tiutMHtu'OH,  uixl  it  noI  ahoiit  thorn  in 
onriiuNt,  vru'y  uhortly  nilr.r  tlio  lM)gintiiti;.i;  oi'iiOHtiJitic^H.  It  Ixiing 
(ivi(l<>iit  thiit  th(!  coiiuruiiKi  wiih  oiin  of  ihu  iiioHt  itii|i()rliuit  thut 
hud  uvor  \mm  cunliddd  to  uii  Aiiicriciin  ollicnr,  gr(!iit  criro  v/hh 
iKJCciitMury  ill  thn  Noh'clioii  of  thu  individual  to  whom  this  highly 
roNpotiNihjo  tiiid  nnhioiiH  duty  wuh  to  ho  (uitruMled.  Tho  fdioitx) 
of  tho  dfpurlinotit  IMI  on  (Juptuiii  huac-  Clmuiic'ty,  thon  ut  tlin 
hond  of  th()  N<!W  York  imvy-yiird.  1  \\h  ordorH  woro  diitjsd 
AuguMt  UlHt,  1H12,  mid  on  tho  (Ith  of  Octohnr,  Im  urrivod  at 
Suckott'H  I  Itirhour  in  |)orHon.  Forty  Hhi|)-car|MjntorH  Icill.  Now 
York  in  llio  first  wook  of  H(  ptomhor,  and  nioro  followcul  iin- 
inodiatoly.  InNtriictioiiH  w(!ro  Nont  to  Mr.  WoolHoy,  to  jiiir- 
chaso  Htuidry  small  miu'ohant  vohhoIs  ;  and  on  tho  IHihof  Hop- 
tondHjr,  100  ollicors  and  H(!am(!n  loll  New  York  for  Hackiitl's 
IIarlM)ur,  with  guns,  shot,  stoivis,  iVc. 

Tho  vosN(!ls  used  hy  tin;  Amnrican.s  in  tlio  navigation  of 
liuko  Ontario,  woro  wihoonorH,  varying  in  si/o  from  HO  to  100 
tons  ;  and  tin?  first  inuasnro  of  Coinmodoro  (Jhauncoy  was  to 
j  urchas(!  a  HnOicicnt  ntmihor  of  Ihnso  crall  to  obtain  tho  (X)rn- 
inand  of  tho  lako,  until  olhors  bottcjr  fitltid  for  war  could  Ijo 
constructod.  A  selection  of  tho  most  oligihlo  was  accordingly 
inado  by  Mr.  Woolscy  ;  thoy  woro  bought,  armod,  ('(|uip[)od, 
manned,  and  put  into  tho  servico,  undcir  the  imm(!s  of  tho 
Hamilton,  (Jovernor  Tompkins,  (/otupiest,  Growler,  Julia,  Port, 
iVc,  &c.  Neither  of  theso  schooners  hud  the  construction  or 
tho  qnalitioH  retpjisite  for  a  vessel  of  war,  but  thf^y  were  th(!  b(;st 
for  the  servicti  contemplated  that  could  "then  Ih;  found  on  those 
wat(!rs.  Without  quarters,  their  armaments  conyisted  princi-. 
pally  of  long  guns,  mounted  r>n  circles,  with  a  Ihw  of  a  lighter 
deHcri[)tion,  that  could  be  of  no  matcirial  service;,  rjxcept  in  re- 
pelling boarders.  Tho  keel  of  a  ship  to  mount  24  thirty-two- 
pound  carronades,  however,  was  laid  down  in  Hopfemb(jr,  or 
belbre  the  commanding  ollit^er  r('achcd  the  station. 

In  conjunction  with  the  Oneida,  the  entire  flotilla  that  could 
bo  mode  immediately  available  mounted  40  guns,  and  it  wa» 
manned  with  430  men,  the  marines  included.  Ah  the  arma- 
ment of  the  Oneida  was  jurit  10  guns,  it  follows  that  thero  was 
an  average  of  4  guns  each,  among  tho  six  other  vessels.  At 
this  time,  the  enemy  was  said  to  possess  on  Ontario,  the  Royal 
George  22,  Karl  of  Moira  14,  both  ships;  and  the  schooners 
.Prince  Regent  10.  Duke  of  Gloucester  14,  Himcoe  12,  und 
Seneca  4 ;  making  a  force  in  guns,  more  than  d«juble  that  of 
tho  Americans,  with  u  proportionate  disparity  in  the  number  of 

no 


■ ;  i'',i't:^Ul'^  '^T  ii*T ; 


350 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


the  men.  As  cruising  vessels,  the  enemy's  squadron  pos- 
sessed an  advantage  in  their  size  and  construction,  that  greatly 
increased  their  superiority. 

Previously  to  the  war  of  1812,  there  was  no  vessel  on  the 
upper  lakes,  that  proj)erIy  belonged  to  the  American  marine. 
A  brig,  called  the  Adams,  however,  had  been  constructed  on 
these  waters,  for  the  convenience  of  the  war  department, 
which,  under  its  own  officers,  had  long  found  it  useful  in  the 
transportation  of  stores  and  military  supplies.  By  the  capture 
of  Michigan,  the  Adams  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who 
changed  her  name  to  the  Detroit,  and  took  her  into  their  ser- 
vice. At  this  time,  the  enemy  possessed  two  or  three  other 
vessels  on  the  upper  lakes,  and  of  course,  this  capture,  for  the 
moment,  gave  them  complete  command  of  the  waters  be- 
tween the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie  and  the  head  of  Lake  Mich- 
igan. 

With  a  view  to  counteract  this  ascendency,  Lieutenant  J. 
D.  Elliot  was  sent  by  Comniodore  Chauncey  to  the  upper 
lakes,  about  the  time  that  the  latter  officer  appeared  at  Sack- 
ett's  Harbour,  with  directions  to  purchase  any  suitable  vessels 
that  might  be  found,  and  to  make  preparations  also  for  the 
creation  of  the  necessary  force  in  that  quarter.  While  Mr. 
Elliot  was  thus  employed,  a  fortunate  concurrence  of  circum- 
stances, put  it  in  the  power  of  this  officer  to  plan  a  blow  at  the 
enemy,  of  which  he  availed  himself  with  a  spirit  and  prompti- 
tude that  were  highly  creditable.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th 
of  October,  the  Detroit  came  down  the  lake,  in  company  with 
another  brig,  called  the  Caledonia,  and  anchored  under  Fort 
Erie ;  and  that  very  day  intelligence  was  received  that  the 
first  party  of  seamen  intended  for  the  lake,  was  within  a  short 
march  of  the  Niagara  frontier.  Orders  were  accordingly  sent 
to  hasten  their  arrival,  which  actually  took  place  about  noon 
of  the  same  day. 

Finding  that  the  men  were  without  arms,  Mr.  Elliot  applied 
to  Brigadier  Icneral  Smythe,  the  officer  in  command  of  the 
troops  on  that  frontier,  who  not  only  furnished  the  necessary 
means,  but  who  permitted  about  fifty  soldiers  to  volunteer  to 
aid  in  the  enterprise. 

Two  of  the  large  boats  used  in  those  waters,  containing 
about  50  men  each,  partly  seamen  and  partly  soldiers,  were 
prepared  for  the  service,  and  a  small  boat,  or  two,  v/ere 
manned  by  a  few  citizens.  The  party  attempted  to  pull  out 
of  Buffiilo  Creek,  early  in  the  evening  of  the  7th ;  but  the  large 


1812.J 


NAVAL     HISTOIIY. 


351 


rcutn- 
at  the 
ompti- 
icTth 
with 
Fort 
t  the 
short 
'  sent 
noon 


boats  grounded  on  the  bar.  Here  some  delay  occurred,  it  being 
found  necessary  for  most  on  board  to  get  into  the  water,  before 
they  could  make  the  l)oats  float  again.  It  was  consequently 
much  later  when  the  adventurers  reached  the  stream. 

As  tlie  enemy  lay  near  their  own  shore,  the  party  pulled 
some  distance  up  the  lake  in  order  to  get  above  his  vessels, 
before  they  edged  away.  It  was4iast  midnight  when  they  got 
near  the  two  brigs,  the  Detroit  lying  highest  up  stream,  and 
farthest  from  the  land.  The  boat  destined  to  attack  the  Cale- 
donia was  directed  to  lead,  in  order  that  lx)th  vessels  might  be 
assaulted  as  nearly  as  possible  at  the  same  moment.  This 
boat  was  under  the  orders  of  Mr.  Watts,  a  sailing-master,  sup- 
ported  by  Captain  Towsonof  the  artillery;  while  Mr.  Klliott, 
in  person,  had  charge  of  the  other  boat,  in  which  were  Lieu- 
tenant Roach  of  the  artillery,  and  Ensign  Pressman  of  the 
infantry. 

As  the  leading  boat  crossed  the  bow  of  the  Detroit,  the  en- 
emy took  the  alarm,  and  the  party  of  Mr.  Elliott,  as  it  ap- 
proached, received  two  volleys  of  musketry.  Without  regard- 
ing this,  both  boats  pulled  steadily  on,  that  which  led  reaching 
the  Caledonia  in  proper  time,  but  it  would  seem  that  one  of  the 
grapnels  missed,  and  she  fell  so  far  astern  as  to  allow  the  en- 
emy to  make  a  stout  resistance.  Here  the  decision  and  spirit 
of  Captain  Towson  were  of  material  service,  and  the  vessel 
was  captured.  Lieutenant  Roach  of  the  army,  who  was  ac- 
customed to  the  duty,  steered  the  boat  of  Mr.  Elliott,  which 
was  laid  alongside  of  the  Detroit  with  great  steadiness  and  ac- 
curacy, when  the  party  went  aboard  of  the  enemy.  Lieutenants 
Elliott  and  Roach  leading.  The  former  had  a  narrow  escape, 
his  hat  having  been  struck  from  his  head,  and  at  the  same  in- 
stant he  nearly  cleft  the  skull  of  the  English  commander,  who 
discovered  the  greatest  resolution.  Being  well  supported,  this 
brig  was  carried  with  great  rapidity. 

In  this  handsome  affair  one  man  was  killed,  and  a  ?ey/  were 
wounded,  including  Mr.  Cummings  a  midshipman,  in  the  boat 
of  Mr.  Elliott ;  while  that  of  Mr.  Watts,  owing  to  the  circum- 
stance mentioned,  sustained  rather  more  loss.  Mr.  Elliott  re- 
ported the  Detroit  as  carrying  six  long  nines,  and  to  have  had 
a  crew  of  fifty-six  souls.  The  Caledonia  mounted  but  two 
guns,  and  had  a  much  smaller  complement  of  men.  About 
thirty  American  prisoners  were  found  in  the  former  vessel,  and 
ten  in  the  latter. 

The  Caledonia  was  brought  successfully  over  to  the  Ameri- 


352 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[181S. 


can  side,  but  tlio  Detroit  met  with  greater  difiiculty.  Mr.  El- 
liott Ibund  hiinseir  obligeil  to  drop  down  the  river,  passing  the 
forts  under  a  brisk  fire,  and  anehoring  within  reach  of  their 
guns.  Here  a  cann*  nado  took  place,  during  which  fruitless 
efforts  were  made  to  get  lines  to  the  Amenciju  shore,  in  order 
to  warp  the  brig  ac  ghu.  Finding  himself  assailed  by  the  guns 
of  the  enemy's  works,  as  wpi!  as  by  some  light  artillery,  Mr. 
Elliott  determined  io  cut,  and  drop  out  of  the  reach  of  the  first, 
believing  himself  able  to  i*esist  the  lust.  This  plan  succeeded 
in  part,  but  the  pilot  having  left  the  vessel,  she  brought  u[)  on 
Squaw  Island.  The  prisoners  were  now  sent  on  shore,  and 
shortly  aller  Mr.  Elliott  lell  her,  with  a  view  to  obtain  assist- 
ance. About  this  lime  the  enemy  boarded  the  prize,  but  were 
soon  driven  out  of  her,  by  the  artillery  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Scott,  the  Detroit  being  commanded  equally  by  the  guns  on 
both  sides  of  the  Niagara.  Under  such  circumstances,  the 
vessel  was  ellectually  rendered  unfit  for  service,  and  in  the  end, 
ailcr  removing  most  of  her  stores,  she  was  burned  by  the 
Americans. 

This  was  the  first  naval  success  obtained  by  either  nation, 
in  the  warfare  on  the  lakes,  and  it  was  deemed  a  fortunate 
conuTicncemont  for  the  Americans,  on  waters  where  tliey  might 
hojK)  to  contend  with  their  powerful  foes  on  an  equality.  Tlio 
conduct  of  Mr.  Elliott  was  much  applauded,  and  Congress 
voted  him  a  sword.  His  promptitude  and  decision  were  of 
great  service,  and  it  adds  to  the  merit  of  all  engaged,  that  the 
Caledonia  was  thought  to  be  a  brig  of  a  force  much  superior 
to  what  she  proved  to  be,  when  they  left  the  shore.  The  army 
had  an  equal  share,  in  the  credit  of  this  dashing  little  enter- 
prise, Captain  Towson,  who,  in  effect,  commanded  one  of  the 
boats,  though  it  was  necessarily  managed  by  a  sea-ofllcer,  hav- 
mg  particularly  shown  decision  and  conduct.  The  names  of 
Lieutenant  Roacli  of  the  artillery.  Ensign  Pressman  of  the 
infantry,  and  of  several  volunteers  from  Buffalo,  were  also 
included  in  the  eulogies  of  the  commanding  officer. 

Not  long  after  this  successful  exploit,  part  of  the  crew  of 
the  John  Adams  28,  which  had  been  laid  up  at  New  York, 
reached  Buffalo,  to  help  man  the  vessels  government  intended  to 
equip  on  Lake  Erie.  Mr.  Angus,  his  senior  officer,  accompa- 
nying this  party,  and  there  being  a  want  of  lieutenants  on  the 
other  lake,  Mr.  Elliott  now  went  below  to  join  the  force  im- 
mediately under  the  orders  of  Commodore  Chauncey.  Before 
quitting  this  station,  however,  this  officer  had  contracted  for 


if 


^■^m 


1812.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


353 


of 
fork, 
Bed  to 
Im  pa- 
in the 
im- 
Icfore 
for 


several  schooners,  timt  lay  in  the  Niagara,  but  which  it  was 
8ubse(iueiitly  found  ditUcult  to  get  into  the  luiiu  on  account  of 
the  enemy'H  batteries. 

Commodore  Chauncey  first  appeared  on  the  lake  on  the  8th 
of  November,  with  his  broad  pennant  Hying  on  board  the  Onei- 
da 10,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Woolsoy,  and  having  in  com- 
pany the  Conqufwt,  Lieutenant  Elliott;  Hamilton,  Lieutenant 
M'Pherson ;  Governor  Tompkins,  Lieutenant  Hrown ;  Pert, 
Mr.  Arund(!l ;  Julia,  Mr.  Trant ;  ,and  Growler,  Mr.  Mix  ;  the 
three  lust  named  cilicers  holding  the  rank  of  sailing-masterH. 
The  object  in  going  out,  was  to  intercept  the  return  of  the  en- 
emy's vessels,  most  of  which  were  known  to  have  l)een  to  the 
westward,  conveying  supplies  to  the  army  at  Kingston.  In 
order  to  ellect  this  purpose,  the  American  s(juadron,  or  /Icjtillo, 
for  it  scarcely  merited  the  former  term,  went  off  the  I"'alsc 
Ducks,  some  small  islands  that  lie  in  the  track  of  vessels  kcinp- 
ing  the  north  shore  aboard.  As  it  approached  the  intended 
station,  a  ship  was  made  in-shore.  She  was  soon  asccirtained 
to  be  the  Royal  (ieorge,  then  much  the  largest  vessel  that  had 
ever  been  constructed  on  the  inl.vnd  waters  of  America.  That 
a  ship  of  her  force  should  feel  it  necessary  to  retire  Ijeforc  the 
Oneida,  must  be  attributed  to  the  v^rcumstance  of  her  nc't  be- 
ing properly  officered,  the  enemy  not  having  yet  made  their 
drafts  from  the  royal  navy  for  the  service  on  the  lakes.  C'om- 
modore  Chauncey  chased  the  Royal  George  into  the  Bay  of 
Quintc,  and  lost  sight  of  her  in  the  night.  The  next  morning, 
however,  she  was  seen  again,  lying  in  the  narrow  passage  thai 
leads  down  to  Kingston.  Signal  was  immediately  made  'or  n 
general  chase,  which  was  vigorously  kept  up,  with  alte/nato 
squalls  and  light  airs,  until  the  enemy  was  fairly  driven  in 
under  the  protection  of  his  own  batteries. 

Although  the  wind  blew  directly  in,  and  made  a  retreat  dif- 
ficult, Commodore  Chauncey  decided  to  follow  the  enemy,  and 
feel  his  means  of  defence,  with  an  intention  of  laying  the  ship 
aboard,  should  it  be  found  practicable.  Arrangements  for  tluit 
purpose  were  accordingly  made,  and  a  little  before  3  P.  M. 
the  vessels  that  were  up,  got  into  their  stations,  and  stood  to- 
wards the  mouth  of  the  harbour.  The  Conquest,  Lieutenant 
Elliott,  led  in  handsome  style,  followed  by  the  Julia,  Mr.  Tranl, 
Pert,  Mr.  Arundel,  and  Growler,  Mr.  Mix,  in  the  order  named. 
The  Oneida  brought  up  the  rear,  it  being  intended  to  give  time 
for  the  heavy  guns  of  the  schooners  to  upen  the  way  for  a 
closer  attack  by  the  brig.  The  Hamilton  and  Governor  Tomp- 
30* 


gSKi^'H'fi 


354 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


11813. 


kins  were  a  considerable  distance  astern,  having  betra  sont  to 
chase,  and  did  not  cl')3C  for  some  time. 

At  five  minutes  pas*.  3,  the  batteries  on  India  nnd  Is'ntvy 
Points  opened  on  the  t Jonqucst,  but  their  fire  was  l'  it  roi  u.'aed 
until  seven  miwiUes  later.  In  three  minute.''  after  thf  OtnquoMt 
commenced  firing,  she  was  joined  by  the  otiufr  three  si'-hooncrs 
in  advance.  The  gun  of  the  Pert  barsted  nt  the  'i'.ird  dis- 
charge. By  this  accident,  Mr.  Arumic),  her  commander,  was 
badly,  and  a  midshipman  nrtd  three  xuf-n  were  slightly  wound- 
ed. The  vessel  was  rendered,  in  a  great  degree,  useless  lor 
the  remainder  of  the  day.  The  Oncidn,  th('Ugh  Miidor  fire  for 
some  time  previously,  did  not  open  with  her  canonadus  nu  tht^ 
Roynl  George,  uutil  forty  minutes  past  3  ;  !mt  when  hbc  diu 
commeiice,  the  enemy  was  soon  thrown  into  conCiision,  aud  at 
4  P.  i\i.  })Q  c;f  his  cabk^?,  run  deeper  into  the  bay,  and  made 
fast  to  u  svhavr.  dirf^ctlv  under  the  protection  of  the  muskets 
of  the  tro'jj-!!.  Here,  a  part  of  her  people  actually  deserted  her, 
thoui|;h  they  r-iub.scquintly  returned  on  board.  Soon  after,  the 
Governor  Pompkins,  Lieutenant  Bi'own,  bore  up  olf  the  har- 
bour in  a  beautiful  manner,  and  engaged,  having  i'fon  preceded 
some  time,  with  equal  gallantry,  by  the  Hamilton,  Lieutenant 
M'Pherson.  The  action  became  warm  and  genera!,  and  was 
)!i.\intained  with  spirit  for  half  an  hour,  the  enemy  firing  from 
five  batteries,  the  ship,  and  some  moveable  guns.  It  was  now 
so  near  night,  the  wind  blew  so  directly  in,  and  the  weather 
looked  so  threatening,  that  the  pilots  declared  their  unwilling- 
ness to  be  responsible  any  longer  for  the  vessels ;  and  Commo- 
dore Chauncey,  who  found  the  enemy  much  stronger  on  shore 
than  he  had  been  taught  to  believe,  made  the  signal  for  the 
flotilla  to  haul  ofl^.  When  an  offing  of  about  two  miles  had 
been  gained,  the  squadron  anchored,  with  an  intention  to  renew 
the  attack  in  the  morning. 

In  this  spirited  affair,  which  partook  of  the  character  of  the 
assaults  on  Tripoli,  and  which,  after  a  due  allowance  is  mado 
for  the  difference  in  the  force  employed,  was  probably  inferior 
to  none  of  the  cannonades  on  that  town,  for  gallantry  and 
vigour,  the  Americans  suffered  much  less  than  might  have 
been  expected.  The  Oneida  had  one  man  killed  and  thrco 
wounded,  and  she  received  some  damage  aloft.  The  other 
vessels  escaped  even  better,  the  audacity  of  the  attack,  as  is  so 
often  the  case,  producing  a  sort  of  impunity.  Mr.  Arundel,  of 
the  Pert,  however,  who  had  refused  to  quit  the  deck,  though 


1812.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


355 


ling. 

mo- 

lore 

the 

had 

lencw 


badly  wounded,  was  unfortunately  knocked  overboard  arid 
drowned,  while  the  vessel  was  beating  up  to  her  anchorage. 

The  vessels  shortly  after  returned  to  port,  bringing  in  with 
them  two  or  three  small  prizes. 

Intelligence  reacliing  Commodore  Chauncey  that  the  Earl 
of  Moira  was  off  the  Ducks,  he  sailed  on  the  13th  with  tho 
Oneida,  in  a  snow  storm,  to  capture  her ;  but  the  enemy  was 
loo  much  on  tho  alert  to  be  caught  by  surprise,  and  the  dis- 
tances on  the  lake  were  too  short  to  admit  of  his  being  easily 
overtaken  in  chase.  The  Oneida  saw  the  Royal  George  and 
two  schooners,  but  even  these  three  vessels  were  not  disposed 
to  engage  the  Amerwan  brig  singly.  The  two  schooners  in 
company  with  the  Royal  George  on  this  occasion,  were  sup- 
posed  to  be  the  Prince  Regent  and  the  Duke  of  Gloucester. 
Commodore  Chauncey  then  went  off  Oswego  to  cover  sorao 
gtores  expected  by  water.  During  this  short  cruise  the  Oneida 
narrowly  escaped  shipwreck,  and  the  ice  made  so  fast,  that  at 
one  time,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  work  the  carronades 
had  there  been  a  necessity  for  it.  The  Conquest,  Tompkins, 
Growler,  and  Hamilton,  notwithstanding,  continued  to  cruise 
off  Kingston,  until  the  17th  of  November.  On  the  19th  the 
Commodore  attempted  to  go  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  but  was 
driven  back  by  a  gale,  during  which  so  much  ice  was  made 
as  to  endanger  the  vessels.  The  Growler  was  dismasted. 
Early  in  December  the  navigation  closed  for  the  season. 

While  these  events  were  occurring  on  the  lower  lake,  tho 
navy  was  not  altogether  unemployed  on  the  upper  waters. 
Towards  the  close  of  November,  it  was  believed  that  the  ar- 
rangements were  in  a  sufficient  degree  of  forwardness  to  admit 
of  an  attempt  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the  batteries  that  lined 
the  opposite  shore  of  the  Niagara  in  order  to  clear  the  way  for 
the  landing  of  a  brigade  of  troops.  To  aid  it  in  executing  this 
important  service,  the  army  naturally  turned  its  eyes  for  pro- 
fessional assistance  towards  the  body  of  seamen  collected  at 
this  point. 

The  men  of  the  John  Adams  had  encamped  in  the  woods, 
near  the  river,  and  finding  the  enemy  in  the  practice  of  can- 
nonading across  the  Niagara,  shortly  after  their  arrival  they 
dove  into  the  wreck  of  the  Detroit,  at  night,  made  fast  to,  and 
succeeded  in  raising  four  of  that  vessel's  guns,  with  a  large 
quantity  of  shot.  These  pieces  were  mounted  in  battery,  and 
a  desultory  cannonading  was  maintained,  by  both  parties,  until 
the  arrival  of  some  heavy  guns  from  the  seaboard,  when  the 


356 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1812. 


Americans  got  a  force  in  battery,  that  enabled  them  completely 
to  maintain  their  ground  against  their  adversaries.  In  this 
manner,  more  than  a  month  had  passed,  when  the  application 
was  made  to  Mr.  Angus,  for  some  officers  and  seamen  to  assist 
in  carrying  and  silencing  the  batteries  opposite,  in  order  to 
favour  the  intended  descent.  The  arrangements  were  soon 
completed,  and  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  November  was 
chosen  for  the  undertaking. 

The  contemplated  invasion  having  separate  points  in  view, 
the  expedition  was  divided  into  two  parties.  One,commandcd 
by  Captain  King  of  the  15th  infantry,  was  directed  to  ascend 
the  current  a  little,  in  order  to  reach  its  ppint  of  attack,  while 
the  other  was  instructed  to  descend  it,  in  about  an  equal  pro- 
portion. The  first  being  «nuch  the  most  arduous  ut  the  oars, 
the  seamen  were  wanteu  especially  for  this  service.  Mr. 
Angus  accordingly  embarked  in  10  boats,  with  70  men,  ex- 
clusively of  officers,  and  accompanied  by  Captain  King,  at  the 
head  of  a  detachment  of  150  soldiers.  With  this  party  went 
Mr.  Samuel  Swartwout  of  New  York,  as  a  volunteer.  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Bocrstler  commanded  10  more  boats,  which 
conveyed  the  detachment,  about  200  strong,  that  was  to  de- 
scend with  the  current. 

The  division  containing  the  seamen  left  the  American  shore 
about  1  A.  M.  with  muflled  oars,  and  pulled  deliberately, 
and  in  beautiful  order  into  the  stream.  That  the  enemy  was 
ready  to  meet  thorn  is  certain,  and  it  is  probable  he  was 
aware  of  an  intention  to  cross  that  ve  y  night.  Still  all  was 
<juiet  on  the  Canada  side,  until  the  boats  had  passed  out  of  the 
shadows  of  the  forest  into  a  stronger  light,  when  they  were 
met  with  a  discharge  of  musketry  and  a  fire  from  two  field-pkces, 
that  were  placed  in  front  of  some  barracks  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Red  House.  The  effect  of  this  reception  was  to  produce 
a  little  confusion  and  disorder,  and  some  of  the  officers  and  a 
good  many  men  being  killed  or  wounded,  all  the  b  mts  did  not 
gain  the  shore.  Those  in  which  efficient  officer^  remained, 
however,  dashed  on,  in  the  handsomest  manner,  and  the  seamen 
in  them  landed  in  an  instant.  A  body  ol  he  enemy  was 
drawn  up  in  front  of  the  barracks,  with  their  left  flank  covered 
by  the  two  guns.  As  soon  as  the  troops  could  be  formed,  the 
enemy's  fire  was  returned  and  a  short  conflict  occurred.  At 
this  juncture  a  small  party  of  seamen  armed  with  pikes  and 
pistols,  headed  by  Mr.  Watts,  a  sailing-master,  and  Mr.  Hold- 
up, made  a  detour  round  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  charging  the 


1812.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


357 


IQ 


artillerists,  took  the  guns  in  tlie  most  gnllant  naanncr,  mortally 
wounding  and  capturing  Lieutenant  King,  who  commanded 
them.  At  the  same  instant  the  'I'maining  seamen  and  the 
troops  charged  in  front,  when  th<  >'nemy  broke  and  took  rol'ugo 
in  the  barracks. 

The  ei\omy's  fire  was  now  very  destructive,  and  it  become 
indispensable  to  dislodge  him.  Several  spirited  yoiing  mid- 
.shiprnen  were  with  the  party ;  and  three  of  them,  Messrs. 
Wragg,  Holdup,  and  Dudley,  with  a  few  men,  succeeded  fa 
bursting  open  a  window,  through  which  they  made  an  entrance. 
This  /;uilant  little  party  unbarred  an  outer  door,  whoa  Mr. 
Angus  and  the  seamen  rushed  in.  In  an  instant,  the  straw  on 
which  the  soldiers  slept  was  on  fire,  and  the  barracks  were 
immediately  wrapt  in  flames.  The  enemy,  a  party  of  grena- 
diers, was  on  the  upper  floor,  and  finding  it  necessary  to  re- 
treat, he  made  a  vigorous  charge,  and  escaped  by  the  rear  of 
the  building.  Here  he  rallied,  and  was  attacked  by  Captain 
King,  who  had  formed  outside. 

The  party  of  seamen  and  soldiers  now  got  separated,  in  con- 
8eq\ience  of  an  order  having  been  given  to  retreat,  though  it  is 
not  known  from  what  quarter  it  proceeded,  and  a  portion  of 
both  the  seamen  and  the  soldiers  foil  back  upon  the  boats  and 
re-embarked.  Mr.  Angus,  finding  every  effort  useless  to  stop 
this  retreat,  retired  with  his  men.  But  Captain  King,  with  a 
party  of  the  troops,  still  remained  engaged,  and  with  him  were 
a  few  seamen,  with  Messrs.  Wragg,  Dudley,  and  Holdup  at 
their  head.  These  young  officers  fell  in  with  the  soldiers,  and 
a  charge  being  ordered,  the  enemy  again  broke  and  fled  into  a 
battery.  He  was  followed,  and  driven  from  place  to  place, 
until,  entirely  routed,  he  left  Captain  Ki.ig  in  complete  com- 
mand of  all  the  batteries  at  that  point. 

Believing  that  their  part  of  the  duty  was  performed,  the 
young  sea-officers  who  had  remained,  now  retired  to  the  shore, 
and  crossed  to  the  American  side,  in  the  best  manner  they 
could.  Most  of  the  seamen,  who  were  not  killed,  got  back, 
by  means  of  their  professional  knowledge ;  but  Captain  King, 
and  several  officers  of  the  army,  with  60  men,  fell  into  the 
enemy's  hands,  in  consequence  of  not  having  the  means  of 
retreat.  The  attack  of  Colonel  Boerstler  succeeded,  in  a  great 
degree,  and  his  party  was  brought  off, 

Although  this  alTair  appears  to  have  been  very  confiised,  the 
fighting  was  of  the  most  desperate  character.  The  impression 
made  by  the  seamen  with  their  pikes,  was  long  remembered, 


358 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1613. 


and  their  loss  was  equal  to  their  gullantry.  The  enemy  was 
effectually  bcn.tt;n,  and  nothing  but  a  misunderstanding,  which 
is  said  to  have  grown  out,  of  the  fact  that  the  boats  which  did 
not  come  ashore  at  all,  were  supposed  to  have  landed  and  then 
retreated,  prevented  the  attack  ironi  being  completely  success- 
ful.  Htill,  the  batteries  were  carried,  guns  spiked,  barracks 
burned,  and  caissons  destroyed. 

Owing  to  the  nature  of  the  service  and  the  great  stcadijtess 
of  the  enemy,  who  behaved  extrenncly  well,  this  struggle  was 
exceedingly  sanguinary.  Of  twelvo  sea-ofticers  cngnged,  eight 
were  wounded,  two  of  them  nnortally.  The  entire  loss  of  the 
party  was  about  30  in  killed  and  wounded,  which  was  quite 
half  of  all  who  landed,  though  some  M'cre  hurt  who  did  not 
reach  the  shore.  The  troops  behaved  in  the  most  gallant 
manner  also,  and  many  of  their  officers  were  wounded.  Both 
Mr.  Angus  and  Captain  King,  gained  great  credit  for  iheir 
intrepidity. 

As  none  of  the  great  lakes  are  sale  to  navigate  in  December, 
this  closed  the  naval  warfare  ibr  the  year,  though  both  nations 
prepared  to  turn  the  winter  months  to  the  best  account,  while 
the  coasts  were  ice-bound. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

Both  parties  employed  the  winter  of  1812-13  in  I^uilding. 
In  the  course  of  the  autumn,  the  Americans  had  increased 
their  ibrce  to  eleven  sail,  ten  of  which  were  the  small  schoon- 
ers bought  from  the  merchants,  and  fitted  with  gun-boat  arma- 
ments, without  quarters.  In  addition  to  the  vessels  already 
named,  were  the  Ontario,  Scourge,  Fair  American  and  Asp. 
Neither  of  the  ten  was  fit  to  cruise ;  and  an  ordinary  eighteen- 
gun  brig  ought  to  have  been  able  to  cope  with  them  all,  in  a 
good  working  breeze,  at  close  quarters.  At  long  shot,  how- 
ever, and  in  smooth  water,  they  were  not  without  a  certain 
efficiency.  As  was  proved  in  the  end,  in  attacking  batteries, 
and  in  covering  descents,  they  were  found  to  be  exceedingly 
serviceable. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  the  new  ship  was  launched  at 


i8ia.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


359 


ised 
)on- 
rma- 
idy 
Lsp. 
sen- 
[n  a 
low- 
tain 
[ies, 

at 


Sackctt's  Harbour,  and  was  called  the  Madison.  She  was 
pierced  for  24  guns,  and  her  metal  was  composed  of  thirty- 
two-pound  carronades,  rendering  her  a  little  superior  to  the 
Royal  George.  Nine  weeks  before  this  ship  was  put  into  the 
water,  her  timber  was  growing  in  the  forest.  This  unusual 
expedition,  under  so  many  unfavourable  circumstances,  is  to 
bo  ascribed  to  the  excellent  dispositions  of  the  commanding 
officer,  and  to  the  clear  head,  and  extraordinary  resources  of 
Mr.  Henry  Eckfbrd,  the  builder  employed,  whose  professional 
qualities  proved  to  be  of  the  highest  order. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  enemy  laid  tho  kuul  of  a  ship  a  little 
larger  than  the  Madison,  which  would  have  effectually  secured 
the  command  of  the  lake,  notwithstanding  the  launching  of  the 
latter,  as  their  small  vessels  were  altogether  superior  to  those 
of  Ihe  Americans ;  and  the  Royal  George  was  perhaps  strong- 
enough  to  engage  two  brigs  of  the  force  of  the  Oneida.  It 
became  necessary,  therefore,  to  lay  down  a  new  ship  at  Sack- 
ett's  Harbour,  and  for  this  purpose  a  fresh  gang  of  shipwrights 
wont  up  in  February. 

About  this  time,  the  enemy  made  choice  of  Captain  Sir  James 
Lucas  Yco,  to  command  on  the  American  lakes. 

In  the  meantime,  preparations  were  made  for  constructing  a 
force  on  Lake  Erie,  two  brigs  having  been  laid  down  at 
Presque  Isle,  (now  Erie,)  during  the  month  of  March. 

Fresh  parties  of  seamen  began  to  arrive  at  Kingston  in 
March,  where  the  new  ship  wa^  fast  getting  ready. 

On  the  6th  of  April  Mr.  Eckford  put  into  the  water,  on  the 
American  side,  a  beautiful  little  pilot-boat  schooner,  that  was 
intended  for  a  look-out  and  despatch  vessel.  She  was  armed 
with  merely  one  long  brass  nine  on  a  pivot,  and  was  called  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake.  Two  days  later,  the  keel  of  the  new  ship 
was  laid.     She  was  considerably  larger  than  the  Madison. 

About  the  middle  of  the  month,  the  lake  we ?  tunsidered 
safe  to  navigate,  and  on  the  19th,  the  squadron  wavi  reported 
ready  for  active  service.  On  the  22d,  accordijjgl y,  General 
Dearborn  caused  a  body  of  1700  men  to  be  embarked,  and  on 
the  24th,  owing  to  the  impatience  of  the  army,  which  suffered 
much  by  being  crowded  into  small  vessels,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  get  out.  The  commodore,  however,  agreeably  to  his 
own  expectations,  was  obliged  to  return,  it  blowing  a  gale. 
These  few  days  had  a  very  injurious  effect  on  the  health  of 
both  branches  of  the  service,  as  there  was  not  sufficient  room 
for  the  men  to  remain  below,  and  on  deck  they  were  exposed 


360 


NAVAL  JIISTORY. 


[1813. 


to  tho  inclemency  of  the  season.  The  Madison  nlono,  a  mcro 
sloop  of  war,  hiul  600  bouIb  in  her,  including  hor  own  people. 
On  tho  y5th,  however,  tho  squadron,  consisting  of  tho  Madi- 
jH)n,  Licutenai*  Commandant  Elliott,  Commodore"  Clmunccy  ; 
Oneida,  Lieutenant  Commandant  VVoolsey ;  Fair  American, 
Lieutenant  Chaunccy  ;  Hamilton,  Lieutenant  M'l'herson  ;  ^lo- 
vernor  Tompkins,  Lieutenant  Brown  ;  Conquest,  Mr.  Mallaby  ; 
Asp,  Lieutenant  Smith ;  Pert,  Lieutenant  Adams ;  Julia,  Mr. 
Trant;  Growler,  Mr.  Mix;  Ontario,  Mr.  Stevens;  Scourge, 
Mr.  Osgood  ;  Lady  of  the  Lake,  Mr.  Flinn  ;  and  Raven,  trans- 
port, got  out,  and  it  arrived  off  York,  on  tho  morning  of  tho 
26th,  without  loss  of  any  sort.  All  the  vessels  ran  in  and  an- 
chored about  a  mile  from  tho  shore,  to  the  southward  and  west- 
ward of  the  principal  fort. 

Great  steadiness  and  promptitude  were  displayed  in  effecting 
a  landing.  The  wind  was  blowing  fresh  from  tho  eastward, 
but  tho  boats  were  hoisted  out,  manned,  and  received  tho 
troops,  with  so  much  order,  that  in  two  hours  from  tho  com- 
mencement of  tho  disembarkation,  the  whole  brigade  was  on 
shore,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Pike.  Tho 
wind  drove  the  boats  to  leeward  of  tho  place  that  had  b(!on 
selected  for  the  landing,  which  was  a  clear  field,  to  a  point 
where  the  Indians  and  sharp-shooters  of  the  enemy  had  a  co- 
ver ;  but  tho  advance  party  was  thrown  ashore  with  great  gal- 
lantry, and  it  soon  cleared  the  bank  and  thickets,  with  a  loss 
of  about  40  men.  This  movement  was  covered  by  a  rapid 
discharge  of  grapo  from  the  vessels.  As  soon  as  a  sufficient 
number  of  troops  had  got  ashore,  they  were  formed  by  General 
Pike  in  person,  who  moved  on  to  the  assault.  The  small  ves- 
sels now  beat  up,  under  a  brisk  fire  from  the  fort  and  batteries, 
until  they  had  got  within  six  hundred  yards  of  tho  principal 
work,  when  they  opened  with  effect  on  the  enemy,  and  contri- 
buted largely  to  the  success  of  the  day.  The  commodore 
directed  the  movements  in  person,  pulling  in  in  his  gig,  and 
encouraging  his  officers  by  the  coolness  with  which  he  moved 
about,  under  the  enemy's  fire.  There  never  was  a  disem- 
barkation morf;  successfully,  or  more  spiritedly  made,  consi- 
dering the  state  of  the  weather,  and  the  limited  means  of  the 
assailants.  In  cffcv-'ting  this  service,  the  squadron  had  two 
midshipmen  slain,  and  15  men  killed  and  wounded,  mostly 
while  employed  in  the  boats.  After  sustaining  some  loss  by 
an  explosion  that  killed  Brigadier  General  Pike,  the  troops  so 
far  carried  the  place,  that  it  capitulated.    It  remained  in  peace- 


•  ■ 


ves- 
iries, 
jcipal 
)ntri- 
)dore 

and 
loved 

sem- 

Dnsi- 

the 

two 

j>stly 

bs  so 
lace- 


1813,J 


NAVAFi    HISTORY 


361 


ublo  posscHNion  of  the  Americans  until  the  Ist  of  May,  when 
it  was  evacuated  to  proceed  on  other  duty. 

The  capture  of  York  was  attended  with  many  important 
results,  that  fully  established  the  wisdom  of  the  enterprise. 
Although  the  Prince  Regent,  the  third  vessel  of  the  enemy, 
escaped,  by  having  sailed  on  the  24th  for  Kingston,  the  Duke 
of  Gloucester,  which  had  been  undergoing  repairs,  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  A  vessel  of  twenty  guns,  that 
was  nearly  finished,  was  burnt,  and  a  large  amount  of  naval 
and  military  stores  was  also  destroyed.  A  very  considerable 
quantity  of  the  latter,  however,  was  saved,  shipped,  and  sent 
to  Sackett's  Harbour.  Many  boats  that  had  been  built  for  the 
transportation  of  troops  were  also  taken.  In  the  entire  man- 
agement of  this  handsome  exploit,  the  diflferent  vessels  appear 
to  have  been  well  conducted,  and  they  contributed  largely  to 
the  complete  success  which  crowned  the  enterprise. 

Although  the  brigade  re-embarked  on  tho  1st  of  May,  the 
squadron  was  detained  at  York  until  the  8th,  by  a  heavy  ad- 
verse gale  of  wind.  The  men  were  kept  much  on  deck  for 
more  than  a  week,  and  the  exposure  produced  many  cases  of 
fever,  in  both  branches  of  the  service.  More  than  a  hundred 
of  the  sailors  were  reported  ill,  and  the  brigade,  Which  had 
lost  269  men  in  the  attack,  the  wounded  included,  was  now 
reduced  by  disease  to  about  1000  effectives.  As  soon  as  the 
weather  permitted,  the  commanding  naval  and  army  officers 
crossed  in  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  selected  a  place  for  an 
encampment  about  four  miles  to  the  eastward  of  Fort  Niagara, 
when  the  vessels  immediately  followed  and  the  troops  disem- 
barked. 

As  soon  as  released  from  this  great  incumbrance  on  his 
movements,  Commodore  Chauneey  sailed  for  the  Harbour, 
with  a  view  to  obtain  supplies,  and  to  bring  up  reinforcements 
for  the  army.  A  few  of  the  schooners  remained  near  the 
head  of  the  lake,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  squadron  wont 
below,  where  it  arrived  on  the  11th.  The  small  vessels  were 
now  employed  in  conveying  stores  and  troops  to  the  division 
under  General  Dearborn,  which  was  reinforcing  fast  by  arri- 
vals from  different  directions. 

On  the  15th  of  this  month  the  enemy  had  advanced  so  far 
with  his  new  ship,  which  was  called  the  Wolfe,  as  to  have  got 
in  her  lower  masts,  and  expedition  became  necessary,  an  ac- 
tion for  the  command  of  the  lake  being  expected,  as  soon  as 
this  vessel  was  ready  to  come  out.  On  the  16th,  100  men 
31 


\ 


362 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[IR13. 


were  sent  to  tho  upper  lakcn,  whom  ('npfaiii  I'orry,  tlicm  n 
young  master  und  comiimtulor,  Imd  beou  ordered  to  ii.sNUino 
the  comnnnnd,  some  inontlis  previously.  On  the  2'J(1,  tlio  Ma- 
dison, witli  tho  commodoni's  pennant  still  Hying  in  her,  em- 
burked  950  troops,  und  suiltMJ  Ibr  tho  catnp  to  the  (eastward  of 
the  mouth  of  the  Niugara,  where  she  arrived  and  diwMnbarkdd 
the  men  on  tho  25th.  The  Fair  American,  Lieutenant  ('haun- 
ccy,  and  Pert,  Acting  Lieutenant  Adams,  were  immediately 
ordered  down  to  watch  the  movements  ol'  the  enemy  at  King- 
ston, and  preparations  wero  made,  vviliiout  delay,  ibr  a  descent 
on  Fort  George.  On  tho  aoth  Commodore  Chauneey  recon- 
noitred tho  enemy's  coast,  and  his  |>osition ;  and  that  night  ho 
sounded  his  shore,  in  person,  laying  buoys  for  the  government 
of  tho  movements  of  the  small  vessels,  which  it  was  intended 
to  send  close  in.  The  weather  being  more  favourable,  tho 
Madison,  Oneida,  and  Lady  of  tho  Lake,  which  could  be  of 
no  use  in  tlu^  meditated  attack,  on  account  of  their  armaments, 
rectived  on  board  all  the  heavy  artillery  of  the  army,  and  as 
many  troops  as  they  could  carry,  whde  tho  rest  of  the  coldicrs 
embarked  in  boats. 

At  3  A.M.,  on  the  27th  of  May,  the  signal  was  made  to 
weigh,  and  tlie  army  having  previously  embarked,  at  4  tho 
squadron  stood  towards  the  Niagara.  As  the  vessels  ap- 
proached the  point  of  disembarkation,  the  wind  so  far  failed, 
as  to  compel  the  small  vessels  to  employ  their  sweeps.  Tho 
Growler,  Mr.  Mix,  and  Julia,  Mr.  Trant,  swept  into  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  and  opened  on  a  battery  near  the  lighthouse. 
Tho  Ontario,  Mr.  Stevens,  anchored  more  to  tho,  northward  to 
cross  their  fire.  The  Hamilton,  Lieutenant  MTherson,  tho 
Asp,  Lieutenant  Smith,,  and  the  Scourge,  Mr.  Osgood,  were  di- 
rected to  stand  close  in,  to  cover  tlie  landing,  to  scour  tho 
woods,  or  any  point  where  tho  enemy  might  show  liimstdf, 
with  grape-shot;  while  tho  Governor  Tompkins,  Lieutenant 
Brown,  and  Conquest,  Lieutenant  Pcttigrew,  were  sent  farther 
to  the  westward  to  attack  a  battery  that  mounted  one  heavy 
gun. 

Captain  Perry  had  come  down  from  the  upper  lake  on  tho 
evening  of  the  25th,  and  on  this  occasion  was  the  sea-ofHcer 
second  in  rank,  present,  dmmodore  Chauneey  conlided  to 
him  tho  duty  of  attending  to  tiic  disembarkation  of  the  troops. 
The  marines  of  the  squadron  were  embodied  with  the  regiment 
of  Colonel  Macomb,  and  400  seamen  held  in  reserve,  to  land, 


18 1  a.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


363 


the 
licer 
|l  to 

ips. 
Iicnt 
Ind, 


if  necessary,  under  the  iinincdiato  orders  of  the  commodore  in 
person. 

When  all  was  ready,  the  schooners  swept  into  their  stations, 
in  the  handsomest  manner,  opening  their  iire  with  cITva-A.    The 
boats  that  contained  the  advance  party,  under  ('oloncl  Scott, 
were  soon  in  motion,  takinj^  a  direction  towards  the  battery  near 
Two  Mile  I'reck,  against  which  tl;o  Governor  Tompkins  and 
(!on»p4est  had  been  ordered  to  proceed.     The  odmirable  man- 
ner in  which  the  lirst  of  these  two  little  vessels  was  conducted, 
drew  the  applause  of  all  who  witr.essed  it,  on  Mr.  JJrown  and 
his  peopl(!.     This  oflicer  swept  into  his  station,  under  fire,  in 
the  steadiest  manner,  anchored,  furled  his  sails,  cleared  ins 
d(!cks,  and  prepared  to  engage,  with  as  much  coolness  and 
method,  as  if  coming-to  in  a  friendly  port.     lie  then  opened 
with  his  long  gun,  with  a  precision  that,  in  about  ten  minutes, 
lilorally  (lr('»ve  the  enemy  from  the  battery,  leaving  the  [)lacc  to 
liis  dead.     The  boats  dashed  iti,  under  Captain  I'erry,  and 
C/olonel  Scott  (ilFected  a  landing  with  the  steadiness  and  gal- 
lantry for  which  that  oflicer  is  so  distinguished.     The  enemy 
had  concealed  a  strong  party  in  a  ravine,  and  he  advanced  to 
repel  the  boats  ,*  but  the  grape  ami  the  canister  of  the  schooners, 
and  the  steady  conduct  of  the  troops,  soon  drove  him  back. 
The  moment  the  command  of  Colonel  Scott  got  ashore,  the  suc- 
cess of  tlw;  day  was  assured,     lie  was  sustained  by  the  re- 
mainder of  the  brigade  to  which  ho  iKjlonged,  then  commanded 
by  IJrigadicr  General  Boyd,  and  after  a  short  but  sharp  con- 
flict, the  enemy  was  driven  from  the  field.     Tlic  lanrling  was 
made  about  I)  A.  M.,  and  by  12  M.  the  town  and  fort  were  in 
quiet  possession  of  the  Americans,  the  British  blowing  up  and 
evacuating  the  latter,  and  retreating  towards  (iucenston. 

In  this  handsome  affair,  in  which  iho  duty  of  the  vessels  was 
performed  with  coolness  and  method,  the  navy  had  but  one  man 
lulled  and  two  wounded.  So  spirited,  indeed,  was  the  manner 
in  which  the  whole  duty  was  conducted,  that  the  assailants 
jTcnerally  suflered  much  less  than  the  assailed,  a  circumstance 
that  is,  in  a  great  measure,  to  be  ascribed  to  the  good  conduct 
ol'  the  covering  vesse's.  General  Dearborn  reported  his  loss, 
on  this  occasion,  at  only  17  killed  and  45  woundi'd,  while  he 
puts  that  of  the  enemy  at  00  killed,  and  100  wounded,  most  of 
whom  were  regular  troops.  One  hundred  prisoners  were  also 
made. 

Roth  the  commanding  genera!,  and  the  commanding  sea- 
oflicer,  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  conduct  of  the  naval 


364 


NA  VAL    HISTORY. 


[1813. 


force  employed  in  the  descent  on  Fort  George.  General  Dear- 
born admitted  the  extent  of  his  obligations  to  Commodore 
Chauncey  for  the  excellent  dispositions  he  had  made  for  land- 
ing the  troops,  always  a  service  of  delicacy  and  hazard,  and 
his  judicious  arrangements  for  silencing  the  batteries,  uudci- 
the  fire  of  which  it  was  necessary  to  approach  the  shore.  Tli'; 
trifling  amount  of  the  loss,  is  the  best  evidence  how  much  theso 
thanks  were  merited.  Commodore  Chauncey  himself  com- 
mended all  under  his  orders,  thou['h  he  felt  it  due  to  their  es- 
pecial services,  particularly  to  mention  Captain  Perry,  and 
Lieutenant  M'Pherson.  Lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  Governor 
Tompkins,  was  signally  distinguished,  though  his  name,  from 
some  accident,  was  omitted  in  the  despatches. 

The  occupation  of  Fort  George  brought  with  it  an  evacuation 
by  the  British  of  the  whole  Niagara  frontier.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Preston  took  possession  of  Fort  Erie  on  tlfe  evening  of 
the  28th,  and  the  entire  river,  for  the  moment,  was  left  at  the 
command  of  the  Americans.  By  this  success,  the  squadron 
obtain(id  the  temporary  use  of  another  port.  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey running  into  the  Niagara  and  anchoi'ing,  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  27th.  Captain  Perry  was  immediately  despatched  above 
the  falls,  with  a  small  parly  of  seamen,  to  carry  up  five  vessels 
that  had  been  purchased,  or  captured,  and  which  it  had  not 
been  practicable,  hitherto,  to  get  past  the  enemy's  batteries. 
This  duty  was  performed  during  the  first  days  of  June,  though 
not  without  infinite  labour,  as  it  was  found  necessary  to  track 
the  different  vessels  by  the  aid  of  oxen,  every  inch  of  the  way, 
against  the  strong  current  of  the  Niagara,  a  party  of  soldiers 
lending  their  assistance.  By  the  close  of  the  month,  that  zea- 
lous officer  had  got  them  all  across  the  lake  to  Presque  Isle, 
where  the  two  brigs,  laid  down  early  in  the  spring,  were 
launched  in  the  course  of  May,  though  their  equipment  pro- 
ceeded very  slowly,  from  the  state  of  the  roads  and  a  want  of 
men. 


1813.] 


NAVAL     BISTORT. 


365 


CHAPTER  XLII. 


'ay, 

liers 

Izea- 

|lsle. 


While  these  important  movements  were  in  the  course  of 
execution  near  the  western  end  of  the  lake,  oLiicrs  of  equal 
magnitude  were  attempted  near  its  eastern.  The  descent  on 
Fort  George  took  place  on  the  27th  of  May,  and  almost  at  the 
same  moment,  Sir  George  Prevost,  the  British  Commander-in- 
chief  and  Commodore  Sir  J.  L.  Yeo,  meditated  a  covp  de  main 
against  Sackett's  Harbour,  in  revenge  for  the  blow  they  had 
received  at  York.  By  destroying  the  new  ship,  Commodore 
Yeo  would  most  probably  secure  a  superiority  on  the  lake  for 
the  remainder  of  the  season,  the  Americans  having  no  cruis- 
ing vessel  but  the  Madison,  fit  to  lie  against  the  Wolfe  or 
Royal  George. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  May,  the  Wolfe,  Royal 
George,  Moira,  Prince  Regent,  Simcoe,  and  Seneca,  with  two 
gun-boats,  and  a  strong  brigade  of  barges  and  flat-bottomed 
boats,  appeared  off  Sackett's  Harbour.  When  about  two 
leagues  from  the  shore,  a  considerable  party  of  troops  was 
placed  in  the  boats,  and  the  whole  squadron  bore  up,  with  a 
view  to  land  ;  but  their  attention  was  diverted  by  the  appear- 
ance to  the  westward  of  a  brigade  contait  :i;:u  nineteen  boats, 
which  were  transporting  troops  to  tiie  Haivoar.  The  enemy 
immediately  sent  his  own  barges  in  pursuit,  and  succeeded  in 
driving  twelvo  boats  on  shore,  and  in  capturing  them,  though 
not  until  they  had  been  abandoned  by  the  Americans.  The 
remaining  seven  got  into  the  Harbr  r.  Hoping  to  intercept 
another  party,  the  enemj'  now  hauled  to  the  westward,  and 
sent  his  boats  ahead  to  lie  in  wait,  and  the  intention  to  disem- 
bark that  aflernoon  was  abandoned. 

As  the  day  dawned,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th,  a  strong 
division  of  barges,  filled  with  troops,  and  covered  by  the  two 
gun-boats,  was  seen  advancing  upon  Horse  Island,  a  peninsula 
at  a  short  distance  from  the  village  of  Sackett's  Harbour.  A 
body  of  about  800  mun  effected  a  landing,  accompautod  by 
Sir  George  Prevost  in  person,  and  an  irregular  and  desultory, 
but  spirited  engagement  took  place.  At  first,  the  enemy  drove 
all  before  him,  and  he  advanced  quite  near  the  town,  but  being 
31* 


366 


NAVAL    HISTORY, 


[1813. 


met  by  a  detachment  of  regulars,  he  was  driven  back  with 
loss,  and  compelled  to  abandon  his  enterprise. 

In  this  atfair,  had  the  enemy's  vessels  done  as  good  service 
as  the  American  vessels  performed  near  the  Niagara,  the  result 
might  have  been  different ;  but,  though  some  of  them  swept  up 
pretty  near  the  shore,  they  were  of  no  assistance  to  the  troops. 
Unfortunately  false  information  was  given  to  the  sea-officcr  in 
charge  of  the  store-houses,  and  he  set  fire  to  them,  by  which 
mistake,  not  only  most  of  the  stores  taken  at  York,  but  many 
that  had  come  from  the  sea-board,  were  consumed.  But  for 
this  accident,  the  enemy  would  have  had  no  consolation  for 
his  defeat. 

Inform*iticn  reached  Commodore  Clmuncoy  on  the  30th  of 
May,  that  the  enemy  was  out,  and  he  immediately  got  under 
way  from  the  Niagara,  looked  into  York,  then  ran  off  King- 
ston, but  falling  in  with  nothing,  he  crossed  to  the  Harbour, 
where  he  anchored  ;  being  satisfied  that  the  English  squadron 
had  returned  to  port. 

Every  exertion  was  now  made,  to  got  the  new  ship  afloat, 
Commodore  Chaunccy  rightly  thinking  he  should  not  be  justi- 
fied in  venturing  an  action  with  his  present  force.  Although 
he  had  fourteen  sail  of  vessels,  which  mounted  altogether  82 
guns,  only  two  had  quarters,  or  were  at  all  suited  to  close  ac- 
tion. As  both  the  Madison  and  Oneida  had  been  constructed 
for  a  very  light  draugh:  of  water,  neither  was  wcatherly, 
though  the  former  acquitted  herself  respectably  ;  but  the  latter 
was  dull  on  all  tacks,  and  .vliat  might  not  have  been  expected 
from  her  construction,  particularly  so  before  the  wind.  The 
schooners  were  borne  down  with  metal,  and  could  be  of  no 
great  service  except  at  long  shot.  On  the  other  hand,  all  the 
enemy's  vessels  had  quarters,  most  of  them  drew  more  water, 
relatively,  and  held  a  better  wind  than  the  Americans,  and  as 
a  whole  they  were  believed  to  mount  about  the  same  number 
of  guns.  In  the  way  of  metal  the  English  large  ships  wero 
decidedly  superior  to  the  two  largest  American  vessels,  mount- 
ing several  sixty-eight-pound  carronades  among  their  other 
guns. 

The  keel  of  the  new  ship  had  been  laid  on  the  9th  of  April, 
and  she  was  got  into  the  water  June  12th.  This  &bip  was  a 
large  corvette,  and  was  pierced  for  2ti  guns,  long  twenty-fouvs, 
and  she  mounted  two  more  on  circles ;  one  on  a  topgallant 
forecastle,  and  the  other  on  the  poop.  The  day  before  the 
launch,  Captain  Sinclair  arrived  and  was  a(>pointed  to  this  ves- 


1813.] 


NAVAL     H  1  8  T  O  II  Y . 


307 


sel,  which  was  called  the  General  Piko.  Lieutenant  Tren- 
churd,  who  arrived  ut  the  same  time,  received  the  comrnaud 
of  the  Madison.  .  ' 

Although  the  Pike  was  so  near  completion,  tlicro  were  nei- 
ther officers  nor  men  for  her,  on  the  station ;  ami  the  canvass 
intended  for  her  sails  had  been  principally  burned  during  the 
late  attack  on  the  Harbour.  At  this  time,  moreover,  while  the 
service  pressed,  only  120  men  had  been  sent  on  lake  Erie, 
Commodore  Chauncey  having  entertained  hopes  of  being  able 
to  reinforce  that  station  from  below,  after  deleating  the  enemy. 

Lake  Champlain  had  attracted  but  little  of  the  attention  of 
either  of  the  belligerents  until  this  summer,  as  it  did  not  come 
in  the  line  of  the  military  operations  of  the  day.  Some  small 
vessels,  however,  had  been  fitted  out,  on  each  side  of  the  fron- 
tier ;  and  on  the  3d  of  June,  Lieutenant  Sidney  Smith,  who 
then  commanded  on  the  lake,  ventured  down  into  the  narrow 
part  of  that  water,  with  two  armed  sloops  called  the  Eagle  and 
the  Growler,  where  he  was  completely  exposed  to  the  tire  of 
musketry  from  a  body  of  troops  on  the  land.  It  appears  that 
th(!  Eagle  sunk,  her  seams  having  opened  by  the  discharges 
of  her  guns,  and  the  Growler  was  compelled  to  stril.e,  the 
wind  being  fresh  at  south,  ren  lering  a  retreat  impossible.  On 
this  occasion,  near  a  hundred  prisoners  were  made  by  the 
enemy,  a  considerable  portion  of  whom  were  volunteers  from 
the  army. 

After  this  loss,  the  government  turned  its  attention  towards 
the  construction  of  a  naval  force  on  that  lake,  but  its  move- 
ments were  slow,  the  state  of  the  warfare  not  appearing  to 
require  much  exertion  in  that  quarter.  After  the  capture  of 
Mr.  Smith,  however.  Lieutenant  Thomas  M'Donough,  an  ofii- 
cer  who  had  distinguished  himself  as  the  associate  of  Decatur, 
in  his  chivalrous  exploits  before  Tripoli,  was  detached  for  this 
service,  and  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  lake.  Shortly 
after,  Mr.  M'Donough  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  a  master  and 
commander  ;  but  so  few  men  were  attached  to  this  station,  that 
when  this  gallant  officer  first  reached  it,  and  even  for  some 
time  afterwards,  he  actually  worked  with  his  own  hands,  strap- 
ping blocks,  and  performing  other  similar  duties,  in  order  to 
prepare  some  small  vessels  for  service.  An  inroad  made  b^ 
the  enemy,  about  tliis  time,  a  little  quickened  the  efforts  cf  the 
government,  however ;  for  on  the  1st  of  August,  Captain  Ever- 
nrd,  of  the  British  navy,  at  the  head  of  a  force  consisting  of 
the  two  captured  sloop?,  three  gun-boats,  and  several  batteaux, 


a()8 


NAVAL     li  I  H  T  ()  II  V  . 


llHia 


lutulo  (111  iiu'urHioii  nn  liu'  us  l'latt.sl)iii'Kli,  wIkm'ii  Ik^  (h'Htroyrd 
a  coiisiilcM'iihlu  (iinount  of  storcN,  Hit  also  ('ii|)tiir(Ml  hhvim-uI 
Miiiill  leading  vonscIn  Itt't'ori^  Im  rctunuMl.  Ah  (^iinliiiii  M'ho" 
luni^li  had  no  lonu*  (i(|iiui  to  i'(<Nistin^  Hiudt  iiinwidH,  rxorlioiiN 
>vri'(Mimdo  to  (<(|iii|i  oixi  tlint  Hliouhl  |)i'iw(!iil  iIk^' ropolilioii ; 
for,  ill  coiistMiiitMico  of  lli(>  t(!i'i'ilori(d  division  of  this  hdot,  ittt 
wiu'fiii'o,  «)ii  tho  part  t)f  tlm  AiuoricaiiH,  was  |triiici|iMlly  do- 
friisivo. 

Ill  th(^  UK<an  tiiius  tho  (>l)ot-ts  i>t)  Ontario  continuod.  I'laily 
ill  .hiiit>,  dm  Iti'itish  s(]ua*h'on  went  up  tlio  hike,  most  prohaMy 
to  curry  troopn,  (]iiittinK  I***'''  '"  ''**'  »>Kht;  hut  ('oiiiiiiodoro 
(!huiiiu'(\v  very  propi-rly  dciMdctI  that  Ihn  iiiip">i'lunl.  iiilcirsls 
conlidiMl  to  his  (hscrotion  nxpiirod  that  iu;  slKUild  not  follow  it, 
until  his  stpiudron  was  r<Mnfoivod  liy  th*^  uo('(\Nsion  of  lltn 
l'ik(\  to  gi'l  which  vossol  i'»;udy,  ovory  possihlo  t;x<'i'lion  wua 
n\|ikiiig. 

On  tho  I'lth  of  .liino,  llui  Lady  of  tho  fiuko,  LiouhMianl  VV. 
Ivhuunwy,  loll  tlic  harhonr  to  cniiso  oil'  l'ri>s(pii-  lulo,  («>  iiiior- 
*'(>pt  tho  stores  oC  t\\v  oiu'iny  :  and  on  tho  HKh,  slii'  cnpturrd 
tho  schooner  L.'uly  Murray,  Iwultid  wilh  provisions,  shot,  and 
iixod  aininnnilioii  'riiis  vessel  was  in  char^o  of  an  ensign 
and  ir>  men,  the  prisoners  amouiitin),r,  in  all,  to  twenly.nnu. 
l\lr.  Chauucoy  carrieil  his  pri/.o  into  the  harhoiir  on  the  IHih, 
passing  <piito  near  tho  enemy's  s<piadron.  TIkj  prisoners 
reported  the  laniich  of  a  new  brig  at.  Kingston. 

Ahont  this  time,  tho  (Miemy's  s(|uadroii,  consisting  of  tho 
VV\)llo,  Royal  (ieorge,  Moira,  JMelville,  nerresjiird,  .Sidney 
yinilh,  and  one  or  two  guii-!K»ats,  a[)peared  oll'Oswego,  I'ro- 
paralions  wen>  made  to  disemhark  u  party  of  troops,  hut  tho 
weather  heeoining  threateniiig,  !Sir  James  Yeo  was  iiuhu'eil  to 
d(>fer  the  descent,  and  stood  to  tlu;  W(;stward.  He  tlieii  wi;nt 
oil'  iho  (lonesee,  wluno  some  pi'o\  isionsi  were  sei/.("d  and  ear- 
rit'd  away,  and  a  descent  was  inado  at  Cireal.  yoilns,  with  u 
similar  ohject,  hiit  which  failed,  though  several  huildings  were 
hiirn(>d,  and  sonu>  (lour  was  captureil.  Shortly  before,  he  had 
ujipoared  otV  the  Cx  d,  U  die  westward  of  Niagara,  seizing 
.some  boats  l)oK)nging  to  tho  urmy,  Ic  lied  wilh  stores.  Two 
vt'ssels,  similarly  employed,  w(>ro  also  captured. 

On  the  'SM  of  June,  l-l  of  tho  guns,  and  a  (ir.aiitily  of  tho 
riggiiiji;  tor  tho  Pike,  iHMiched  the  luirbour;  uud  lh«  next  t lay, 
t'ommodore  Chauncey  advised  tho  government  to  conunenco 
building  a  fast  uling  schooncj^".  This  recomincndution  was 
followed,  and  t      kcol  of  u  vessel  that  wus  subscciuontly  culled 


IHIIi. 


NAVAL     II  I  H  TO  It  V 


m) 


Uh 


Ili(<  Sylph,  ivns  Nooti  nflnr  liiid,  Imr  Mi/o  licMMjur  ddlirniiiUMl  liy 
tli(<  iiiitiini  1)1' III*)  rimtt'i'iiilH  iKu'dMNury  Hir  I:  )n<i|iii|iiii('iil,  wiiic/h 
WfTM  |>i'iii('i|i>illy  (Ml  llin  M|Mit,  ^ 

It.  wuN  III*)  IonI  (ilMiiiKf  hollti'it  tlin  piiopUt  lir>|^uii  to  nrrivo  (of 
till)  I'ikn;  tho  (irst  rlriill,  cniiMiMtlii;^  «tl'niily  il.")  nmii,  I'fiu'liinj^ 
(III)  lini'lMiiir  oil  lliit  ViUlli  ol'lliut  iiioiilh.  'I  Ui-hv  vvi'io  IoIIowimI, 
on  llio  JHt  of  .Inly,  liy  W4  tnoro,  tVotii  llimloii.  It  wiim  tlioi^;lit, 
Ity  tlt(>  iiMKisttiiicr'  of  llio  (intiy,  tliiit  llio  hIiIii  ini^/lit.  itn  yn\.  imiI, 
witli  llio  (till  of  tht'Ho  iiiiMi.  ill  oMlirniititi^  tlio  otnltiii'v  iMt4tni-iiN 
of  llio  liikn  Ni^rvico,  in  /i^oiiorul,  Ilin  r«<liic,tan>'n  of  tltn  NiiilorH 
to  H<<i'V()  (III  tlioM(<  inliitnl  wiildi'H  Mlionid  not  lio  ov(!rl()ol<(;ii, 
Tlic  Hinlionrt  were  known  to  Im!  Mickly,  (Iio  Hdi'vico  wuh  cKri'ml. 
ins.rly  iinliiuii-t,  Hov^nil  winl)!i' iiiontlix  wirro  to  lio  piiMH^d,  iiiidcr 
ft  ri^roroiiK  clnniitc,  in  linilioiirH  tliiil  tiud  iiono  of  tlio  onliriitry 
ultnictiotiM  of  II  H()iiporl,nnd  lln!  cIkiikh^m  (or  pri/fi-irioiioy  wiro 
too  inHi}^ni(i<'(int  to  (inli<r  into  tlio  (nvrounl.  At  itiiw  poriod  in 
tlif)  hiHlory  (<('  tlio  navy,  llio  moh  wrtn  fiiitonul  for  |uirlionl»r 
Hlii;)s,  nnd  no'  lor  llif)  nfoncnil  Horvico,  uh  lit  prcNcnf ;  and  it 
would  liiivo  Itcfn  iicnrly  iinpoMHiblo  to  iirofiiP!  iilili!  Hfimion  lor 
thiM  (inpopidnr  duty,  liiid  not  tlio  trioiiiiH  bocn  louiid  to  indiKto 
pni'i ,  oj"  ('rowH  (o  lolkw  llicif  odicorH  I'roin  llio  Alliinfif  (•<»iim(, 
fiM  vo|iirii(!(>rH.  A  (•(iiiMid(!ndil(!  purly  had  hccn  Ncnt  iVoni  tho 
('onHiiliitifni,  to  l<ako  <)filari(»,  n\h'r  iior  r»!liim  fVoni  llio  c.tiikHi 
of  fJra/il ;  and  Iho  arrival  (d'a  portion  of  llio  crew  of  the  John 
AdaniH,  on  Luko  I'lric,  has  already  iM^cn  niitntionod.  On  tho 
Nih  iif  July,  ('ii|)laiii  (JriOK!  ajrivcd  fnun  tho  Mutnowhip;  and 
two  dayn  lalcf,  ho  wa.s  lollowcd  hy  all  Iho  olfKU'rH  and  riKiri  of 
that  vossol,  liM  wlii'-h  a  new  crow  had  hc'ii  cnlisti'd.  'I'liis 
liiiK'ly  niinlorcfrnioiii  was  assi;.;ii,  !,  in  a  body,  to  tfi(;  iMadiHon, 
that  ship  hcinf,'  noarly  of  tho  kI/o  and  forco  of  tht!  vohhoI  from 
wlii  h  liioy  I'Mino. 

(  hi  llu'  alhrnoon  ofth(!  Int  of  July,  howovor,  or  pr'rviouNly 
to  thi.s  ini|iortarit  acc«  sHion  t(»  his  (ore*!,  fi  d(W!rl<!r  oarno  in  and 
roportfMJ  that  Hir  Jarnos  Y^n  had  \i-f)  Kinj^ston  tho  [(rovioiiM 
niii;ht,  in  W  l(ir<j;o  IkmiIs,  with  a  }K)dyof  H(M>  or  HttM)  mon,  with 
which  ho  had  croHsod  and  land(!d  in  (!hninriont  Jiay,  a!M<ut 
H^'von  miloH  from  tho  Ifnrhonr.  JKiro  hf;  had  nnrmniH'A  in  tb(; 
woods,  r.fmcf'ft^n^  hin  hoats  with  Iho  l'ranch«;s  (»f  trr^fs,  with  an 
nitonti(tn  to  mako  an  attack  on  Iho  Aniorican  .sfjijadron,  in  tho 
ronrso  of  tho  n[»proarhinf.(  ni;/ht.  I'r(;paration,s  won-  actcord- 
inj^ly  mado  to  ror(-ivo  fh"  oxporto/j  nssaidt,  hot  tho  ouoniy  did 
not  appear.  Dn  thr;  followinj:^  rnorninf<,  <^'onirnodoro  (Jhaiinr.-:y 
wont  out  with   tho  v(;.s»o1h  that  wore  ready,  and  cxuniinod  lh'5 


370 


NAVAL     II  I  S  T  O  11  Y  . 


[I8ij. 


I 


I  I 


ll 


1 


shore,  but  tlio  onoiny  could  not  bo  Ibund.  '  At  Huusot  ho  ro* 
turnod,  uud  moored  tho  vosnoIh  in  roadiuasH  ibr  tlio  ultdr.k. 
Still  noonomy  uppoanid.  Tliat  nij^ht  uud  tho  3Ucceodiu>,'diiy, 
live  inoro  dosiirtors  ojune  in,  nil  corrobonitinj^  cuch  other's  lus 
count,  by  wiiich  it  would  sooni  that  tlio  cxpoilition  wus  nbim- 
donod  on  tho  ni^ht  of  the  lat,  in  conacciuoneo  of  tho  desertion 
of  the  niun  who  htid  first  uome  in.  At  this  time,  the  I'iko  hud 
10  of  her  ji^uns  mounted  ;  und  there  is  little  doubt  timt  (-'ouj- 
njodore  Yeo  would  Imvo  been  deleiited,  hud  Ik;  persisted  in  hi« 
orij^inul  intention.  Hy  .Fuly  .Md,  the  remainder  of  her  unnu- 
ment  hud  reached  tho  Harbour. 

On  the  iJlst  of  July,  tlu;  Madison,  Captain  Crano,  w(  iit  off 
Kin<(ston,  comniunicatinfj;  with  the  coinmodoro  by  sii^uai,  who 
remained  at  anchor  in  the  I'iUo,  which  ship  was  f^ettun,'  ready 
as  f:ist  as  possible.  The  same  eveninjf  the  latter  wcM't  out,  ac- 
companied by  the  squadron,  runninj^  over  to  the  north  shore, 
and  then  steered  to  tho  westward.  Tho  winds  were  lij,'ht,  and 
the  vessels  did  not  arrive  oiV  the  mouth  of  the  Niuj^ara,  until 
llio  27th.  Here  a  small  body  of  troops  was  embarked  lujdor 
Colonel  Scott,  and  the  squadron  proceeded  to  the  head  of  tho 
lake,  with  a  view  to  make  a  descent  at  Burlington  Bay.  After 
landing  the  troops  and  marines,  and  n^connoitring.  Colonel 
Scott  believed  the  enemy  to  be  too  strong,  and  too  well  pi)ste(l, 
for  tho  force  under  liis  connnand ;  and  on  tho  3()th,  the  ves- 
sols  weiglujd  luid  ran  down  to  York.  Here  Colonel  Scott 
landed  without  op[)osition,  and  got  possession  of  the  place. 
A  considerable  quantity  of  provisions,  particularly  flour,  was 
seized,  five  pieces  of  cannon  were  found,  some  shot  and  pow- 
der were  brought  oil',  und  11  bouts,  built  to  transport  troops, 
were  destroyed.  Some  barracks,  and  other  jjublic  build- 
ings, were  burned.  The  troo[»s  rc-cmbarked  on  the  1st  of 
August,  and  on  the  3d  they  were  disembarked  again,  in  tho 
Niagara. 

At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  tho  7th,  while  at  anchor  ofF 
the  mouth  of  the  Niagara,  the  enemy's  squadron,  consisting 
of  two  ships,  two  brigs,  and  two  large  schooners,  were  seen  to 
the  northwest,  und  to  windward,  distant  aboirt  six  miles.  The 
American  vessels  innnediately  weighed,  and  endeavoured  to 
obtain  the  weather-gage,  the  construction  of  a  large  portion  of 
the  force  rendering  this  advantage  important  in  a  general  action. 
At  tliis  time,  Commcdorc  Chauncey  had  i)resent,  tho  Pike, 
Madison,  Oneida,  Hamilton,  Scourge,  Ontario,  Fair  American, 
Governor  Tonjpkins,  Conquest,  Julia,  Growler,  Asp,  and  Pert, 


im.\ 


N  A  V  A  I,    MIHTOU  Y. 


:i7l 


or  thirU;(!n  sail.  Tim  ki/.o  ofthn  laid*,  wiiicli  at  i'lrat  vinw  might 
Hwiii  to  rtnidor  it  dillKrult  to  tivoitl  ii  roiulwit,  wuh  in  (rulli  in 
liivoiir  ofHiioli  u  <ii;.si^;ii ;  thn  distiirutos  l)oiti;^  so  nidiiII,  tliiit  tlio 
rotirin};^  piiify,  uador  onlitituy  tMrourn.stiuicoH,  would  Imvn  it  in 
liin  |)owur  to  ^fiiii  11  Imrliour,  iHil'oro  its  rnotny  roiild  do.so. 
Both  conimiuidnr.s,  it  is  now  midt^Mtood,  iiclcid  iiii<l(!r  very  rigid 
instruftioitiH,  it  being  known  timt  tlio  I'ortuno  of  \ho  nortltorn 
wur,  in  (i  j^rout  nicasuro,  dopcndod  on  lli«  con  dhukI  of  this 
lake,  und  noith(!r  parly  wan  disposod  to  incur  uuy  iinduo  risks 
of  losing  tho  clmnce  to  obtain  it. 

On  Iho  [)rc'.sunt  occasion,  hownvor,  Conimodow  (J|jaunr,oy 
WQ9  nnxious  to  bring  tho  (•m.'tny  to  battlu,  Irtiling  a  Hullicicnt 
confulunco  in  his  ofliccrs  and  ni<ai  to  Ixflicvo  thuy  would  nsrwkir 
his  niiX(!d  andgrratly  tlividod  tbrcn  Hunicicntly.availablf!.  The 
principal  ndvantng(3  of  tho  onomy  was  in  tho  idc^ntity  of  charac- 
ter thai  l)olongcd  to  his  H(|uadron,  which  ('nai)lcd  him  to  kcc[) 
il  in  compact  order,  and  to  give  it  concentrated  and  simuUano- 
0IJ8  evolutions,  while  the  movcm(!nts  of  the  best  of  t)ie  Ameri- 
can vessels,  were  miccssarily  cimtrolled  l;y  thos(i  of  their 
worst.  In  short,  (he  tn majuvring  of  the  vXmerii'.'m  squadron, 
throughout  this  entir(5  summer,  lurnishes  an  illustraliou  of  that 
nautical  principle  to  which  tluire  has  clKcwiscre  licen  an  allu- 
flion,  in  an  attempt  to  point  out  tho  vast  importance  fif  ])rc- 
serving  an  equtdity  in  tlie  prop(!rtios  of  shipg.  Indeed  the  l*iko 
and  Madison  alone  could  compete  with  vessels  of  ordinary 
qualities,  thnthicidu  proving  to  Imj  so  dull,  that  tho  Pike  was 
frequently  cotn[)elled  to  take  her  in  tow. 

At  5)  A.  M.  tho  J*iko,  having  grit  abreast  of  the  Wolfe,  tho 
loading  vessel  of  the  enemy,  lioist(!d  her  ensign,  and  fired  a  lew 
guns  to  try  the  range;  of  her  shot.  Finding  that  the  latter  fell 
short,  she  wore  and  hnuUui  to  the  wind  on  the  other  tack,  the 
sternmost  of  the  small  schooners  being  then  six  miles  distant. 
The  enemy  wore  in  succession,  also,  and  got  upon  the  same 
tack  as  tho  American  scpiadron,  but  ascertaining  tliat  the  lead- 
ing vessels  of  the  latter  would  weather  U)on  him,  he  soon 
tacked,  and  hauled  off  to  the  northward.  As  soon  as  the  rear 
of  the  American  line  was  far  enough  ahead  to  fetch  his  wake, 
signal  was  mmk;  to  the  s()uadron  to  tacic  once  more,  and  to 
crowd  sail  in  chase.  The  wind  now  {gradually  fi  I!,  and  about 
sunset  it  was  calm,  the-  schooners  using  their  sweeps  to  close. 
As  night  approached,  the  signal  of  recall  was  made,  in  ordiT 
to  collect  the  squa<lron,  there  being  an  apprehension  that  some 
of  the  small  vessels  miaht  be  cut  off. 


372 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


In  the  nigli  iho  wind  came  from  tho  westward,  jirtd  it  blow 
in  squalls.  All  the  vessels  were  at  quarters,  cixrryiuf.T  sail  Jo 
gain  the  wind  of  tho  enemy,  with  a  view  to  engage  him  in  the 
morning.  Not  long  ni\er  midnight,  a  rushinif  sound  was 
heard  ;  and  several  of  tho  vessels  felt  more  or  less  of  a  squall; 
but  the  .strength  of  tlio  gust  passed  astern.  Soon  after,  it  was 
ascertained  that  the  Hamilton,  Lieutenant  Winter,  and  Sco  je, 
Mr.  Osgood,  had  disap[x;ured.  The  Pike  now  spoke  tho  -o- 
vernor  Tompkins,  which  informed  the  commodore  that  the  ,is- 
sing  schooners  had  capsized  in  tho  squall,  and  that  the  wnole 
of  thoir  officers  and  men,  with  tho  exception  of  sixteen  of  the 
latter,  had  been  drowned.  It  is  supposed,  as  all  the  crews 
were  at  quarters,  and  the  guns  were  loose,  that  when  the  gust 
struck  the  vessels,  their  heavy  pieces,  which  worked  on  slides, 
with  all  the  shot  on  deck,  went  to  leeward,  and  hel|)ed  to  carry 
the  two  schooners  over.  This  accident  showed  how  unsuited 
these  vessels  were  to  tho  service  on  which  they  were  employed, 
those  lost  having  been  two  of  tho  very  best  in  the  squadron, 
mounting  between  them  19  guns. 

The  American  squadron  now  hove-to,  and  soon  after  day- 
light  the  enemy  set  studding-sails  and  stood  down  upon  it,  ap- 
parently with  an  intention  to  engage.  When  a  little  more 
than  a  !'.!V':uo  distant,  however,  he  brought  by  the  wind,  and 
the  sipnal  was  made  from  the  Pike  to  ware  and  to  bring-to  on 
the  snire  tuck.  After  waiting  some  time  for  the  English  ship« 
to  oime  doM-n,  Commodore  Chauncey  edged  away  for  the  land, 
hoping,  iv  getting  the  breeze  which,  at  that  season,  usually 
came  off  the  southern  shore,  in  the  afternoon,  to  obtain  the 
weather-gage.  It  fell  calm,  however,  and  the  schooners  were 
ordered  to  sweep  up  towards  the  enemy,  and  to  bring  him  to 
action.  While  the  latter  were  attempting  to  execute  this  order, 
the  wind  came  out  light  at  the  eastward,  wiien  the  Pike  took 
the  Oneida  in  tow,  and  stood  down  towards  tho  enemy.  The 
van  of  the  schooners  had  got  within  two  miles  of  the  English 
squadron,  when  the  brec/io  r^uddenly  shifted  to  the  westward, 
giving  the  latter  the  advantage  of  the  wind.  Sir  James  Yeo 
now  bore  up,  in  the  expectation  of  cutting  off  the  American 
small  vessels,  before  the  ships  could  cover  them;  but  the 
former,  by  freely  using  their  sweeps,  soon  got  into  their  s  a- 
tions  again,  when  the  enemy  hauled  by  the  wind  and  hove-to. 

It  now  became  squally,  and  the  people  having  been  at  quar- 
ters nearly  two  days  and  nights,  and  the  enemy,  who  was 
evidently  indisposed  to  engage,  unless  on  his  own  terms,  pos- 


r  f-\7^v^ '  iry 


1613.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


373 


ith  the  enemy,  witliout 
rning  of  the  10th, 
precaution  to  get 
Yindward,  with  the 
ok  the  Asp,  and  the 


8C8sing  a  great  advantage  in  such  weath'  r,  as  the  late  accident 
sufficiently  proved,  Commodore  Chauncey  ran  in,  and  anchored 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Niagara.  It  blew  heavy  in  squalls 
throughout  the  night,  but  the  enemy  being  in  sight  to  the  north- 
ward, ut  daylight,  the  squadron  weighed  and  stood  out  after 
him.  Throughout  the  whole  of  this  day,  and  of  the  succeeding 
night,  under  a  succession  of  squalls,  light  airs,  and  calms,  and 
constant  changes  in  the  dii€ction  ''  the  winds,  the  American 
vessels  were  endeavouring  to  c' 
success.  At  daylight,  howfv. 
Commodore  Chauncey,  havniij  . 
under  the  north  shore,  found 
cnomy  bearing  S.  W.     The  Pik 

Mudison  the  Fair  American  in  tow,  and  the  whole  squadron 
kept  away,  with  every  prospect  of  forcing  the  English  to  en- 
gage. About  noon,  and  l)cforo  the  squadrons  were  within 
gun-shot  of  each  other,  the  wind  shifted  to  W.  S.  W.,  giving 
the  enemy  the  weather-gage.  Throughout  the  day,  there  was 
a  series  of  unsuccessful  manciuvres  to  close  and  to  gain  the 
wind,  but,  about  5  ^\  M.,  the  eneniy  was  becalmed  under  the 
south  shore,  and  luc  American  squadron  got  a  brcv/'  from 
N.  N.  W.,  nearing  him  fast.  At  6,  being  then  distant  about 
tour  miles,  the  line  cf  battle  was  formed,  though  the  wind  had 
become  very  light.  The  vessels  continued  to  close  until  7, 
when  a  fresh  breeze  oumc  out  at  S.  W.,  placing  the  enemy 
once  'noro  to  windward.  After  some  maiKouvring,  the  two 
squad  rons  were  standing  to  the  northward,  with  their  larboard 
tacks  aboard,  under  easy  canvass,  the  enemy  astern  and  lo 
^^indward.  ii  being  "ow  pretty  certain  that  wi*h  vessels  of 
qualities  so  unequal,  he  could  not  get  the  wind  ot  the  English, 
while  the  latter  were  disposed  to  avoid  it,  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey adopted  an  order  of  battle  that  was  singularh  well  adapted 
to  draw  them  dovi'n,  and  which  was  admirable  for  its  advan- 
tages and  ingenuity.  The  American  squadron  formed  in  two 
lines,  one  to  windward  of  the  other.  The  weather  line  con- 
sisted altogether  of  the  smallest  of  the  schooners,  having  in  it, 
in  the  order  in  which  they  are  named,  from  the  van  to  the 
rear,  the  Julia,  Grow  lei,  Pert,  Asp,  Ontario,  and  Fair  Ameri- 
can. The  line  to  leeward  contained,  in  the  same  ordt  ,  the 
Pike,  Oneida,  Madison,  Governor  Tompkins,  and  Conquest. 
It  was  hoped  that  Sir  James  Yco  would  close  with  the  weather 
line  in  the  course  of  the  night,  and,  with  a  view  to  bring  him 
down,  the  Julia,  Growler,  Pert,  and  Asp  were  directed,  after 
32 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTEN.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


374 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1813. 


engaging  as  long  as  was  prudent,  to  edge  away,  and  to  pass 
through  the  intervals  left  between  the  leading  vessels  of  the 
line  to  leeward,  forming  again  under  their  protection,  while 
the  Ontario  and  Fair  American  were  directed  to  run  into  the 
leeward  line,  and  form  astern  of  the  Conquest. 

At  half-past  10  P.  M.  the  enemy  tacked  and  stood  after  the 
American  squadron,  keeping  to  windward  of  the  weather  line. 
At  11,  the  Fair  American,  the  sternmost  of  the  schooners  in 
this  line,  began  to  fire ;  and  the  enemy  continuing  to  draw 
.  ahead,  in  about  fifteen  minutes  the  action  became  general  be- 
tween him  and  the  weather  line.  At  half-past  11  all  the 
schooners  engaged  bore  up,  according  to  orders,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  two  in  the  van,  which  tacked  in  the  hope  of 
gaining  the  wind  of  the  English  ships,  instead  of  waring,  or 
bearing  up.  This  unfortunate  departure  from  the  order  of 
battle,  entirely  changed  the  state  of  things ;  Sir  James  Yeo, 
instead  of  following  the  schooners  down,  as  had  been  expected, 
keeping  his  wind  with  a  view  to  cut  off  the  two  that  had  sepa- 
rated. Commodore  Chauncey  now  filled,  and  kept  away  two 
points,  in  the  hope  of  drawing  the  enemy  from  the  vessels  to 
windward,  but  the  English  exchanged  a  few  shots  with  the  Pike 
in  passing,  and  continued  in  pursuit  of  the  two  schooners.  The 
American  squadron  immediately  tacked,  and  endeavoured  to 
close,  with  the  double  view  of  covering  their  consorts,  and  of 
engaging.  As  the  chase  was  to  windward,  it  was  impossible  to 
protect  the  vessels  that  had  separated,  the  English  ships  easily 
getting  them  under  their  guns,  when  the  former  struck,  of  course. 

The  vessels  captured  were  the  Growler,  Lieutenant  Deacon ; 
and  the  Julia,  Mr.  Trant.  They  sustained  a  small  loss  before 
they  surrendered,  having,  in  some  measure,  repaired  the  fault 
they  had  committed,  by  the  handsome  manner  in  which  they 
held  on  to  the  last.  It  was  the  opinion  of  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey, that  these  schooners  were  lost  through  excess  of  zeal  in 
their  commanders,  who  thought  that  a  general  action  was 
about  to  take  place,  and  that  by  gaining  the  wind,  they  might 
be  of  more  service,  than  if  stationed  to  leeward.  The  result 
showed  the  necessity  of  complete  concert  in  naval  evolutions, 
and  the  virtue  of  implicit  obedience. 

Each  of  the  vessels  taken  by  the  enemy,  carried  two  guns, 
and  had  a  crew  of  about  40  souls.  Some  damage  was  done 
to  the  sails  and  rigging  of  the  enemy,  by  the  fire  of  the 
schooners ;  but  the  American  squadron,  the  Julia  and  Grow  lor 
excepted,  received  no  injury  worth  mentioning.    The  Growler 


ex- 
3  of 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


375 


had  a  man  killed,  lost  her  bowsprit,  and  was  a  good  deal 
damaged  before  she  struck. 

The  Pike,  after  carrying  sail  hard  for  some  time,  finding 
that  she  was  separating  from  the  rest  of  the  squadron,  and  that 
there  was  no  hope  of  saving  the  two  schooners,  rejoined  the 
other  vessels,  and  formed  the  line  again.  At  daylight,  the 
enemy  was  seen  a  long  way  to  windward,  it  blowing  fresh. 
The  small  ''essels  beginning  to  labour  excessively,  it  became 
necessary  to  send  two  of  the  dullest  of  them  into  the  Niagara 
for  security. 

The  gale  continuing,  the  commodore  now  determined  to  run 
for  the  Genesee,  with  the  rest  of  the  vessels ;  but  the  wind  in- 
creasing, and  the  Madison  and  Oneida  not  having  a  day's  pro- 
visions on  board,  he  stood  for  the  Harbour,  v/here  he  did  not 
arrive  until  the  13th,  the  wind  failing  before  he  got  in. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 


Without  waiting  for  his  new  vessel,  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey  took  in  provisions  for  five  weeks,  and  sailed  on  another 
cruise  the  very  day  of  his  arrival.  On  the  16th,  the  squadron 
was  off  the  Niagara,  and  the  same  day  the  enemy  was  made, 
being  eight  sail  in  all.  Some  manoeuvring  to  obtain  the  wind 
followed,  but  it  coming  on  to  blow,  the  vessels  ran  into  the  mouth 
of  the  Grenesee,  and  anchored.  This  was  another  of  the  evil  con- 
sequences of  having  vessels  like  the  small  schooners  in  the 
squadron,  a  sea  little  heavier  than  common  causing  them  to 
labour  to  a  degree  that  rendered  it  unsafe  to  kf  ep  the  lake.  The 
wind,  however,  freshened  so  much  as  to  compel  the  whole 
squadron  to  weigh  and  bear  up,  forcing  them  down  the  lake 
under  easy  canvass.  The  enemy,  it  would  seem,  was  also 
driven  to  leeward,  for  he  was  seen  at  anchor  under  the  False 
Ducks,  as  those  islands  came  in  sight.  The  Fair  American 
and  Asp  having  been  sent  into  the  Niagara  on  duty,  the  ves- 
sels present  in  the  American  squadron,  on  this  occasion,  were 
the  Pike,  Madison,  Oneida,  Tompkins,  Conquest,  Ontario,  Pert, 
and  Lady  of  the  Lake ;  the  latter  having  no  armament  fit  for 
a  general  engagement.    It  was  now  expected  that  the  enemy 


376 


NAVAL    HISTOR  Y. 


[1813. 


would  be  willing  to  engage,  and  the  vessels  were  cleared  for 
action.  The  wind  again  s hilled,  however,  bringing  the  Eng- 
lish squadron  to  windward ;  but  by  carrying  sail  hard,  the 
American  vessels  were  weathering  on  the  enemy  when  the 
latter  ran  behind  the  islands,  and  was  believed  to  have  stood 
into  Kingston.  The  gale  increasing,  and  the  schooners  being 
actually  in  danger  of  foundering,  Commodore  Chaunccy  bore 
up  for  the  Harbour,  whei-e  he  arrived  on  the  19th  of  the 
month. 

The  new  vessel  had  been  launched  on  the  18tH,  and  she 
was  immediately  rigged  and  named  the  Sylph.  Her  arma- 
ment was  peculiar,  for,  in  that  comparative  wilderness,  the 
materials  that  could  be  had  were  frequently  taken,  in  the  place 
of  those  that  were  desired.  Four  long  thirty-twos  were  mount- 
ed on  circles  between  h';r  masts,  and  six  sixes  were  placed  in 
broadside.  As  this  vessel  was  expected  to  be  weatherly,  it 
was  hoped  those  heavy  gims  might  cut  away  some  of  the  ene- 
my's spars,  and  bring  on  a  general  action.  It  is  due  to  the 
extraordinary  capacity  of  the  builder,  to  say  that  this  schooner 
was  put  into  the  water  in  twenty-one  working  days  after  her 
keel  had  been  laid. 

A  promotion  had  been  made  previously,  and  the  new  com- 
missions were  now  found  at  the  Harbour.  Lieutenant  Com- 
mandant Woolsey  was  transferred  to  the  Sylph,  with  his  new 
rank ;  Lieutenant  Thomas  Brown,  the  officer  who  had  so  much 
distinguished  himself  at  the  landing  before  Fort  George,  suc- 
ceeding him  in  the  Oneida. 

On  the  28th  of  August,  Commodore  Chaun'""'"'  sailed  again, 
with  the  Pike,  Madison,  Sylph,  Oneida,  Tor  is.  Conquest, 
Ontario,  Pert,  and  Lady  of  the  Lake.  The  jmy  was  not 
seen  until  the  7th  of  September,  when  the  squadron  lying  at 
anchor  in,  and  off,  the  Niagara,  his  ships  were  made  out  at 
daylight,  close  in  and  to  leeward.  The  signal  to  weigh  was 
instantly  shown,  and  the  Pike,  Madison,  and  Sylph,  each  tak- 
ing a  schooner  in  tow,  sail  was  made  in  chase.  The  enemy 
bore  up  to  the  northward,  end  for  six  days  the  American 
squadron  followed  the  Engl'^h,  endeavouring  to  bring  it  to 
action,  without  success.  On  the  11th  of  September,  the  ene- 
my was  becalmed  off  the  Genesee,  when  the  American  vessels 
got  a  breeze  and  ran  within  gun-shot,  before  the  Finglish 
squadron  took  the  wind.  A  running  fight,  that  lasted  more 
than  three  hours,  was  the  result ;  but  the  enemy  escaped  in 
consequence  of  his  better  sailing,  it  being  out  of  the  power  of 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


377 


the  American  commander  to  close  with  more  than  two  of  his 
vessels,  the  Sylph  being  totally  unfitted  for  that  species  of  com- 
bat. As  Iho  Pike  succeeded  in  getting  several  broadsides  at 
the  enemy,  he  did  not  escape  without  being  a  good  deal  cut 
up,  having,  according  to  his  own  report,  an  officer  and  ten 
men  killed  and  wounded.  The  Pike  was  hulled  a  few  times, 
and  other  trifling  injuries  were  received,  though  no  person  was 
hurt.  Previously  to  this  aflTair,  Commodore  Chauncey  had 
been  joined  by  the  Fair  American  and  Asp.  On  the  12th,  Sir 
James  Yeo  ran  into  Amherst  Bay,  where  the  Americans  were 
unable  to  follow  him,  on  account  of  their  ignorance  of  the 
shoals.  It  was  supposed  that  the  English  Commodore  declined 
engaging  on  this  occasion,  in  consequence  ci'  the  smoothness 
of  the  water,  it  being  his  policy  to  bring  his  enemy  to  action 
in  blowing  weather,  when  the  American  schooners  would  ba 
nearly  useless. 

Commodore  Chauncey  remained  off  the  Ducks  until  the 
17th,  when  the  English  squadron  succeeded  in  getting  into 
Kingston,  after  which  he  went  into  port  for  despatches  and 
supplies.  The  next  day,  however,  he  came  out  again,  and  on 
the  19th,  the  enemy  was  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Ducks. 
No  notice  was  now  taken  of  him,  but  the  squadron  stood  up 
the  lake,  in  the  hope  that  the  English  would  follow,  and  also 
with  a  view  >(  bringing  down  a  brigade  of  troops,  a  division 
of  the  army  being  about  to  concentrate  at  Sackett's  Harbour, 
preparatory,  to  descending  the  St.  Lawrence  with  a  view  to 
attack  Kingston  or  Montreal. 

In  a  day  or  twp,  the  squadron  got  off  the  Niagara,  and  an- 
chored. On  the  26th  of  September,  information  was  received 
that  Sir  James  Yeo  was  at  York,  with  all  his  squadron.  The 
Lady  of  the  Lake  was  sent  across  to  ascertain  the  fact,  on  the 
morning  of  the  27th,  and  returning  the  same  evening  with  a 
confirmation  of  the  report,  the  squadron  instantly  got  under 
way.  Owing  to  the  wind,  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  the 
bad  sailing  of  so  many  of  the  vessels,  the  squadron  was  not  got 
into  line,  until  8  A.  ^f.,  on  the  morning  of  the  28th,  when  the 
Pike,  Madison,  and  Sylph,  each  took  a  schooner  in  tow,  as 
usual,  and  sail  was  made  for  the  north  shore. 

The  Eiifjlish  squadron  was  soon  discovered  under  canvass, 
in  York  Bay,  and  the  American  vessels  immediately  edged 
away  for  it.  Fortunately,  the  Americans  had  the  weather- 
gage,  the  wind  being  at  the  eastward,  blowing  a  good  breeze. 
As  soon  as  the  enemy  perceived  the  American  ships  approach- 
32* 


I 


378 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


{1813. 


t%. 


ing,  ho  tacked  and  stretched  out  into  the  lake,  in  ordei-  to  get 
room  to  manoDUvrc ;  Commodore  Chauncey  forming  his  line, 
and  steering  directly  for  his  centre.  When  the  American 
squadron  was  about  a  league  distant,  the  English  ships  made 
all  sail,  on  a  wind,  to  the  southward.  The  former  now  wore 
in  succession,  to  get  on  the  same  tack  with  the  enemy ;  and  as 
soon  as  this  object  was  effected,  it  began  to  edge  away  again 
in  order  to  close. 

The  enemy  had  now  no  alternative  between  putting  up  his 
helm,  and  running  off  before  the  wind,  thus  satisfactorily  de- 
monstrating which  party  sought,  and  which  avoided  a  general 
action,  or  in  allowing  the  Americans  to  commence  the  engage- 
ment. Notwithstanding  the  wariness  with  which  Sir  James 
Yeo  had  hitherto  manoeuvred  to  prevent  a  decisive  combat,  ho 
had  always  maintained  the  pretension  of  seeking  a  conflict, 
probably  with  a  view  to  encourage  the  colonies ;  and  a  retreat, 
at  this  moment,  would  have  been  too  unequivocally  a  flight  to 
admit  of  palliation.  The  American  squadron  was  a  good  deal 
extended,  in  consequence  of  the  great  difference  in  the  sailing 
of  its  vessels,  the  Pike  being  considerably  ahead  of  most  of  her 
consorts.  As  the  signal  was  flying  for  close  action,  the  Go- 
vernor Tompkins  had  passed  several  of  the  larger  vessels,  and 
was  next  astern  of  the  commodore,  while  the  Madison,  which 
had  one  of  the  heaviest  of  the  schooners  in  tow,  was  prevented 
from  getting  as  near  as  was  desirable.  The  Oneida,  too,  now 
showed  her  worst  qualities,  no  exertions  of  her  gallant  com- 
mander. Lieutenant  Commandant  Brown,  being  able  to  urge 
her  into  the  conflict.  In  this  state  of  things,  Sir  James  Yeo, 
perceiving  that  his  two  sternmost  vessels  were  in  danger,  and 
that  there  was  some  little  chance  of  cutting  off  the  rear  of  the 
American  line,  determined  to  tack,  and  to  hazard  ar.  engage- 
ment. 

At  ten  minutes  past  meridian,  accordingly,  the  English  ships 
began  to  tack  in  succession,  while  tlie  Pike  made  a  yaw  to  lee- 
ward, edging  away  rapidly,  to  get  nearer  to  the  enemy's  centre. 
As  soon  as  the  two  or  three  leading  vessels  of  the  enemy, 
among  which  were  the  Wolfe  and  Royal  George,  got  round, 
they  opened  on  the  Pike,  which  ship  received  their  fire  for  se- 
veral minutes  without  returning  it.  When  near  enough,  she 
opened  in  her  turn.  The  Pike,  on  this  occasion,  was  not  only 
beautifully  handled,  but  her  fire  was  probably  as  severe  as  ever 
came  out  of  the  broadside  of  a  ship  of  her  force.  For  twenty 
minutes  she  lay  opposed  to  all  the  heaviest  vessels  of  the  one- 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


379 


my,  receiving  little  or  no  support  from  any  of  her  own  squad- 
ron, with  the  exception  of  the  Asp,  the  schooner  she  had  in 
tow,  and  the  Governor  Tompkins.  The  latter  vessel,  com- 
manded for  the  occasion  by  Lieutenant  W.  C.  B.  Finch,*  of 
the  Madison,  was  handled  with  a  gallantry  that  reflected  high 
credit  on  that  young  officer,  steadily  keeping  the  station  into 
which  she  had  been  so  spiritedly  carried,  and  maintaining  a 
warm  fire  until  crippled  by  the  enemy,  and  unavoidably  left 
astern.  When  the  smoke  blew  away,  during  a  pause  in  this 
sharp  combat,  it  was  found  that  the  Wolfe  had  lost  her  main 
and  mizzen  topmasts  and  her  main-yard,  besides  receiving 
other  injuries.  Cut  up  so  seriously,  she  put  away  dead  before 
the  wind,  crowding  all  the  canvass  she  could  carry  on  her  for- 
ward spars.  At  this  moment,  the  Royal  George  luffed  up  in 
noble  style,  across  her  stern,  to  cover  the  English  commodore, 
who  ran  off  to  leeward,  passing  through  his  own  line,  in  order 
to  effect  his  retreat. 

When  the  English  squadron  bore  up,  the  American  vessels 
followed,  maintaining  a  heavy  fire  with  as  many  of  their  circle 
and  chase  guns  as  could  reach  the  enemy.  It  was  now  found 
that  the  armament  of  the  Sylph  was  not  suited  to  service,  the 
guns  between  her  masts  being  so  crowded  as  not  to  allow  of 
their  being  used  with  freedom,  or  rapidity,  more  especially 
when  in  chase.  This  circumstance,  notwithstanding  her  size 
and  sailing,  rendered  her  of  little  more  use  than  one  of  the 
smaller  schooners. 

After  pursuing  the  enemy  about  two  hours,  during  which 
time  the  squadron  had  run  nearly  up  to  the  head  of  the  lake, 
where  the  former  had  a  post  at  Burlington  Bay,  and  finding 
that  the  English  ships  outsailed  most  of  his  vessels.  Commo- 
dore Chauncey  made  the  signal  to  haul  off  with  a  view  to  stand 
in  for  the  Niagara.  As  the  enemy  was  effectually  beaten,  and 
there  is  scarcely  a  doubt,  would  have  been  destroyed,  had  he 
been  pressed,  this  order  has  been  much  criticised,  as  uncalled 
for,  and  unfortunate.  The  motives  which  influenced  the  Ame- 
rican commander,  however,  were  marked  by  that  discretion 
and  thoughtfulness,  which  are  among  the  highest  attributes  of 
an  ofiicer,  and  which  distinguished  his  whole  career,  while  en- 
trusted with  the  arduous  and  responsible  service  over  which 
he  presided  during  the  war. 

The  wind  was  increasing,  and  it  shortly  after  came  on  to 


*  Now  Captain  W.  C.  Bolton. 


380 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


blow  an  easterly  gale,  and  an  action,  under  such  circumstances, 
would  probably  have  caused  both  squadrons  to  be  thrown 
ashore,  there  being  nothing  but  a  roadstead,  under  Bur* 
lington  heights,  which  the  wind  that  then  blew  swept.  As  the 
enemy  was  known  to  have  a  considerable  land  Ibrce  at  this 
point,  all  who  were  driven  ashore,  would  necessarily  have  fallen 
into  his  hands ;  and  had  he  succeeded  in  getting  off  one  or  two 
of  the  smaller  vessels,  he  would  effectually  have  obtained  the 
command  of  the  lake.  By  going  into  the  Niagara,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  American  squadron  was  in  a  position  to  inter- 
cept the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  who  was  in  a  cul  de  sac  ;  and 
after  waiting  for  more  moderate  weather,  he  might  be  attacked 
even  at  anchor,  should  it  be  deemed  expedient,  under  much 
more  favourable  circumstances.  In  addition  to  these  reasons, 
which  were  weighty,  and  worthy  of  a  commander  of  reflection 
and  judgment,  the  Pike  had  received  a  shot  or  two  beneath  her 
water  line,  which  required  that  her  pumps  should  be  kept  going, 
a  toil,  that  united  to  tho  labour  of  an  action,  would  have  finally 
exhausted  the  strength  of  the  ship's  company.  The  Oiiemy 
had  batteries  to  command  the  anchorage,  too ;  and  no  doubt  he 
would  have  established  more,  had  the  Americans  gone  in. 

In  the  action  of  the  28th  of  September,  the  Pike  suflTered  a 
good  deal,  both  in  her  hull  and  aloft,  bearing  the  weight  of  the 
enemy's  fire  for  most  of  the  time.  Her  main-top-gallant-mast 
was  shot  away  early  in  the  engagement,  and  her  bowsprit, 
foremast,  and  mainmast  were  all  wounded.  Her  rigging  and 
sails  were  much  cut  up,  and  she  had  been  repeatedly  hulled ; 
two  or  three  times  below  the  water  line,  as  already  stated. 
Five  of  her  men,  only,  were  killed  and  wounded  by  shot. 
While  bearing  up  in  chase,  however,  the  starboard  bow  gun 
bursted,  by  which  accident  twenty-two  men  were  either  slain, 
or  seriously  injured.  The  topgallant  forecastle  was  torn  up  by 
this  explosion,  rendering  its  circle  gun  useless  during  the  re- 
mainder of  ths  day.  Four  of  the  other  guns  also  cracked  in 
the  muzzles,  producing  great  distrust  about  using  them.  The 
Madison  received  some  slight  injuries,  and  the  Oneida  had  her 
main-topmast  badly  wounded.  But  no  person  was  hurt  in 
either  of  these  vessels.  The  Governor  Tompkins  lost  her  fore- 
mast. On  the  part  of  the  enemy,  the  Wolfe  and  Royal  George 
suffered  most ;  and  it  is  believed  that  the  former  vessel  sus- 
tained a  very  heavy  loss  in  men.  It  is  also  understood,  that 
one,  if  not  two,  of  the  enemy's  smallest  vessels  struck;  but  the 


1813.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


381 


Piko  declining  to  take  possession,  in  the  eagerness  to  close 
with  the  Woll'e,  they  eventually  escaped. 

On  the  2d,  the  wind  coming  round  light  to  the  westward,  and 
the  last  transport  having  been  sent  down  the  lake  with  troops, 
the  squadron  weighed,  and  stretched  out  to  look  for  the  ene- 
my. At  10  A.  M.  he  was  seen  standing  down,  under  stud- 
ding sails.  The  instant  the  American  vessels  were  made, 
however,  the  enemy  came  by  the  wind  and  carried  sail  to  keep 
ofT.  During  the  remainder  of  this  day,  the  English  ships 
gained  on  the  American,  and  at  daylight  on  the  3d  they  were 
seen  at  anchor,  close  in  under  an  island  between  Twelve  and 
Twenty  Mile  Creeks.  It  blew  quite  heavily  in  gusts  through- 
out the  day,  both  squadrons  tuVning  to  windward,  the  enemy 
being  nearly  up  with  the  head  of  the  lake  at  sunset.  The 
night  proved  dark  and  squally,  with  a  good  deal  of  rain,  and 
every  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting 
past,  as  he  was  now  caught,  as  it  might  be,  in  a  net. 

The  next  morning  the  weather  was  thick,  and  nothing  could 
be  seen  of  the  English  squadron.  It  falling  calm  at  noon,  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake  was  ordered  to  the  westward,  to  sweep  up 
to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy,  or  whether  he  had  not 
anchored  again  in  Burlington  Bay.  At  9  P.  M.  that  schooner 
returned,  and  reported  that  the  English  squadron  was  not  to 
be  seen,  only  two  gun-boats  being  visible.  As  a  discreet  and 
experienced  officer  had  been  sent  on  this  service.  Commodore 
Chauucey  immediately  inferred  that  the  enemy  had  got  past 
him,  during  the  darkness  of  the  preceding  night,  and  that  he 
had  gone  down  the  lake,  either  to  cut  off  the  American  tran- 
sports, or  to  get  into  Kingston.  Sail  was  iirTviediately  made 
to  run  off  the  Ducks,  with  a  view  to  intercepv  ^i  *  James  Yeo, 
or  any  prizes  he  might  have  taken.  It  is  now  k,  town  that  the 
officers  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  were  deceived,  the  British 
fleet  actually  lying  at  anchor  so  close  under  the  heights  that 
their  hulls  and  spars  were  confounded  with  objects  on  the 
shore ;  the  gentleman  sent  to  ascertain  the  fact  being  too  eager 
to  report  the  supposed  escape  of  the  enemy,  to  go  near  enough 
in  to  make  certain  of  the  truth. 

Tha^  night  and  the  succeeding  day  the  American  squadron 
made  a  great  run,  the  wind  blowing  heavily  from  the  N.  W. 
At  3  P.  M.,  on  the  5th,  seven  sail  were  seen  ahead,  near  the 
False  Ducks,  and  no  doubts  were  entertained  that  they  were 
the  British  squadron.  All  sail  was  carried  to  close,  but  at  4 
the  chases  were  made  out  to  be  schooners  and  sloops.    Signals 


I 


382 


NAVAL    H  ISTOR Y 


[1813. 


wore  now  ahown  for  the  Sylph  and  Ludy  of  the  Lake  to  cast 
olF  their  tows,  and  to  chase  to  tho  N.  E.  This  induced  the 
strangers  to  separate,  when  the  Pike  cast  otF  the  (lovernor 
Tompkins,  and  past  ahead  also.  The  strangers  now  spt  tiro 
to  one  of  their  vessels,  the  other  six  crowding  sail  to  escape. 
At  sunset,  when  opposite  the  Real  Ducks,  the  Britisti  vessels 
the  Confiance,  Hamilton,  and  Mary,  struck  to  the  I'ike.  The 
Sylph  soon  after  joined,  bringing  down  with  her  another  prize, 
the  Drummond  cutter,  and  early  next  morning  the  same  schoon- 
er brought  out  of  the  Ducks  the  Lady  Gore.  The  Enterprise, 
the  seventh  vessel,  escaped. 

The  prizes  were  gun-vessels,  carrying  from  one  to  three 
guns  each,  and  were  employed  as  transports ;  a  part  of  one  of 
the  German  regiments  in  the  British  service  being  on  board  at 
the  time.  The  whole  number  of  prisoners  made  amounted  to 
264,  including  officers.  Among  the  latter  were  a  lieutenant 
and  two  master's  mates  of  the  British  Royal  Navy,  and  four 
masters  of  the  provincial  marine.  Ten  officers  of  the  army 
were  also  taken.  The  Confiance  and  Hamilton,  two  of  the 
prizes,  were  the  schooners  Growler  and  Julia,  taken  on  the 
night  of  the  8th  of  August,  which,  the  enemy  had  rightly 
judged,  would  prove  an  incumbrance  rather  than  an  accession 
to  their  squadron,  and  had  declined  receiving  them  in  it.  This 
circumstance,  of  itself,  sufficiently  proves  the  equivocal  advan- 
tage enjoyed  by  the  possession  of  these  craft,  which  formed  so 
conspicuous  a.  part  of  Commodore  Chauncey's  force  on  paper, 
the  enemy  being  unwilling  to  injure  the  manceuvring  of  his 
vessels  by  using  them. 

Early  in  November,  Commodore  Chauncey  was  lying  at  the 
outlet  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  below  the  east  end  of  Long  Island, 
when  Sir  James  Yeo  came  out  with  his  ships,  and  anchored 
within  two  leagues  of  him,  the  squadrons  being  separated  by 
a  chain  of  small  islands.  There  was  but  one  passage  by 
which  this  chain  could  be  passed,  and  the  Americans  sent 
boats  to  sound  it,  intending  to  lighten  and  go  through,  when 
the  enemy  lifted  his  anchors  and  returned  to  port.  On  the 
11th,  the  army  having  gone  down  the  river,  the  American 
squadron  went  into  the  Harbour. 

Two  days  later.  Commodore  Chauncey,  who  had  now  an  al- 
most undisturbed  possession  of  the  lake,  went  to  the  Genesee, 
where,  on  the  16th  of  the  month,  he  took  on  board  1100  men, 
belonging  to  the  army  of  General  Harrison.  A  severe  gale 
came  on,  by  which  the  vessels  were  separated,  some  being 


1813-13.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


383 


driven  ns  far  west  as  the  head  of  the  lake.  The  transports, 
into  which  most  of  the  small  schooners  were  now  converted, 
having  been  fmallytlospalched.thocommodoro  went  oft' Kings- 
ton again,  to  occupy  the  enemy,  and  to  cover  the  passage  of 
the  troops.  All  the  transports  had  arrived  on  the  21st  but  the 
Julia,  which  did  not  get  in  until  a  few  days  later.  The  Fair 
American  had  gone  ashore  near  the  Niagara,  during  the  gale, 
but  was  got  otf,  and  reached  the  Harbour  on  the  27th.  By 
this  time,  the  navigation  of  the  |ake  was  virtually  closed,  and 
it  being  too  late  to  attempt  any  naval  operations,  while  the  duty 
of  transporting  the  troops  and  stores  had  been  successfully  per- 
formed,  preparations  were  made  to  lay  the  vessels  up  for  the 
winter.  * 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


In  the  course  of  the  winter  of  1812-13,  Captain  O.  H.  Perry, 
then  a  young  master  and  commander  at  the  head  of  the  flotilla 
of  gun-boats,  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  finding  no  immediate 
prospect  of  getting  to  sea  in  a  sloop  of  war,  volunteered  for  the 
lake  service.  Captain  Perry  brought  on  with  him  a  number 
of  officers,  and  a  few  men,  and  Commodore  Chauncey  gladly 
availed  himself  of  the  presence  of  an  officer  of  his  rank,  known 
spirit,  and  zeal,  to  send  him  on  the  upper  lakes,  in  command, 
where  he  arrived  in  the  course  of  the  winter.  From  this  time, 
until  the  navigation  opened.  Captain  Perry  was  actively  em- 
ployed, under  all  the  embarrassments  of  his  frontier  position, 
in  organising  ai;d  creating  a  force,  with  which  he  might  con-; 
tend  with  the  enemy  for  the  mastery  of  those  important  waters. 
Two  large  brigs,  to  mount  20  guns  each,  were  laid  down  at 
Presque  Isle,  and  a  few  gun-vessels,  or  schooners,  were  also 
commenced.  The  spring  passed  in  procuring  guns,  shot,  and 
other  supplies ;  and,  as  circumstances  allowed,  a  draft  of  mea 
would  arrive  from  below,  to  aid  in  equipping  the  different  ves- 
sels. As  soon  as  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Chauncey  ap- 
peared off  the  mouth  of  Niagara,  Captain  Perry,  with  some  of 
his  officers,  went  to  join  it,  and  the  former  was  efficiently  em- 
ployed in  superintending  the  disembarkation  of  the  troops,  as 


384 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


[1813. 


has  been  already  rolatod.  The  fall  of  Fort  Gcorgo  produced 
that  of  Fort  Erie,  when  the  wholu  of  the  Niagara  fronlior  camo 
under  the  control  of  the  American  army. 

Captain  Perry  now  repaired  to  liis  own  command,  and  with 
infinite  labour,  ho  succeeded  in  getting  the  vessels  that  had  so 
long  been  detained  in  the  Niagara,  by  the  enemy's  batteries, 
out  of  the  river.  This  important  service  was  cflected  by  the 
ISth  of  June,  and  preparations  were  immediately  commenced 
for  appearing  on  the  lake.  These  vessels  consisted  of  the  brig 
Caledonia,  (a  prize,)  and  the  schooners  Catherine,  Ohio,  and 
Amelia ;  with  the  sloop  Contractor.  The  Catherine  was  name*! 
the  Somers,  the  Amelia  the  Tigress,  and  the  Contractor  the 
Trippo.  At  this  time,  the  enemy  had  a  cruising  force  under 
the  orders  of  Captain  Finnis,  which  consisted  of  the  Queen 
Charlotte,  a  ship  of  between  three  and  four  hundred  tons,  and 
mounting  17  guns ;  the  Lady  Prevost,  a  fine  warlike  schooner, 
of  about  two  hundred  tons,  that  mounted  13  guns  ;  the  brig 
Hunter,  a  vessel  a  little  smaller,  of  10  guns,  and  three  or  four 
lighter  cruisers.  He  was  also  building,  ut  Mulden,  n  ship  of 
near  five  hundred  tons  measurement,  that  was  to  mount  19 
guns,  and  which  was  subsequently  called  the  Detroit. 

It  was  near  the  middleof  June  before  Captain  Perry  was  ready 
to  sail  from  the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie,  for  Presque  Isle.  Thcro 
being  no  intention  to  engage  the  enemy,  and  little  dread  of 
meeting  him  in  so  short  a  run,  as  she  came  in  sight  of  her 
port  each  vessel  made  the  best  of  her  way.  The  enemy  had 
chosen  this  moment  to  look  into  Presque  Isle,  and  both  squad- 
rons wei-e  in  view  from  the  shore,  at  the  same  time,  though, 
fortunately  for  the  Americans,  the  English  did  not  get  a  sight 
of  them,  until  they  were  too  near  the  land  to  be  intercepted. 
As  the  last  vessel  got  in,  the  enemy  hove  in  sight,  in  the  offing. 

The  two  brigs  laid  down  in  the  winter,  under  the  directions 
of  Commodore  Chauncey,  had  been  launched  towards  the  close 
of  May,  and  were  now  in  a  state  of  forwardness.  They  were 
called  the  Lawrence  and  the  Niagara.  The  schooners  also 
were  in  the  water,  and  Captain  Perry,  having  all  his  vessels  in 
one  port,  employed  himself  in  getting  them  ready  for  service, 
as  fast  as  possible.  Still  various  stores  were  wanting.  There 
was  a  great  deficiency  of  men,  particularly  of  seamen,  and 
Captain  Perry,  and  Mr.  D.  Turner,  were,  as  yet,  the  only 
commissioned  sea-officers  on  the  lake.  The  latter,  moreover, 
was  quite  young  in  years,  as  well  as  in  rank. 

Presque  Isle,  or,  as  the  place  is  now  called,  Erie,  was  a 


1818.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


385 


good  and  spacious  harl)our ;  but  it  had  a  bar  on  which  thore 
WOH  Ictis  than  Hovon  foot  of  water.  This  bar,  which  had  hith- 
erto answered  llto  purposoa  ui'  a  fortiticatiun,  now  oHcrcd  a 
serioua  obstruction  to  getting  tho  brigs  on  the  lake.  It  lay 
alx)ut  half  a  mile  outside,  and  offered  great  advantages  to  tlie 
enemy  for  attacicing  tho  Americans  while  employed  in  pass- 
ing  it.  So  sensible  was  Captain  Perry  of  this  disadvantage, 
that  ho  adopted  tho  utmost  secrcsy  in  order  to  conceal  his 
intentions,  for  it  was  known  that  the  enemy  had  spies  closely 
watching  his  movements. 

Captain  Barclay  had  lately  superceded  Captain  Finnis  in  the 
command  of  the  Lnglish  force,  and  for  near  a  week  he  had  been 
blockading  the  American  vessels,  evidently  with  an  intention 
to  prevent  their  getting  out,  it  being  known  that  this  bar  could 
bo  crossed  bnly  in  smooth  water.  On  Friday,  tho  2d  of  Au- 
gust, he  suddenly  disappeared  in  the  northern  board. 

Tho  next  day  but  one  was  Sunday,  and  the  officers  •.-.  '-re 
ashore  seeking  the  customary  relaxation.  Without  any  ap- 
pearances of  unusual  preparation.  Captain  Perry  privately 
gave  the  order  to  repair  on  Iward  tho  respective  vessels  and  to 
drop  down  to  the  bar.  This  command  was  immediately 
obeyed ;  and  at  about  2  P.  M.,  the  Lawrence  had  been  towed 
to  the  point  where  the  deepest  water  was  to  be  found.  Her 
guns  were  whipped  out,  loaded  and  shotted  as  they  were,  and 
landed  on  the  beach  ;  two  largo  scows,  prepared  for  the  pur- 
pose, were  hauled  alongside,  and  the  work  of  lifting  the  brig 
proceeded  as  fast  as  possible.  Pi(K!C8  of  massive  timber  had 
been  run  through  the  forward  and  after  ports,  and  when  tho 
scows  were  sunk  to  the  water's  edge,  the  ends  of  the  timbers 
were  blocked  up,  supported'  by  these  floating  foundutions.  The 
plugs  were  now  put  in  the  scows,  and  the  water  was  pumped 
out  of  them.  By  this  process,  the  brig  was  lifted  quite  two 
feet,  though,  when  she  was  got  on  the  bar,  it  was  found  that 
she  still  drew  too  much  water.  It  became  necessary,  in  con- 
sequence, to  come-up  every  thing,  to  sink  tho  scows  anew, 
and  to  block  up  the  timbers  afresh.  This  duty  occupied  the 
night. 

The  schooners  had  crossed  the  bar,  and  were  moored  out- 
side, and  preparations  were  hurriedly  made  to  receive  an 
attack.  About  8  A.  M.,  the  enemy  re-appeared.  At  this  time, 
the  Lawrence  was  just  passing  the  bar.  A  distant,  short,  and 
harmless  cannonade  ensued,  though  it  had  the  effect  to  keep 
the  enemy  from  running  in.  As  soon  as  tho  Lawrence  was 
33 


386 


N AV  AL    HI9T0RT 


[1813. 


in  deep  water,  her  guns  were  hoisted  in,  manned  as  fast  as 
mounted,  and  the  brig's  broadside  was  sprung  to  bear  on  the 
English  squadron.  Fortunately,  the  Niagara  crossed  on  the 
first  trial ;  and  before  night,  all  the  vessels  were  as  ready  for 
service,  as  circumstances  would  then  allow.  The  enemy  re- 
mained with  his  topsails  to  the  mast  half  an  hour,  sullenly 
reconnoitring ;  he  then  filled,  and  went  up  the  lake  under  a 
press  of  canvass. 

This  occurred  on  the  4th  of  August,  and  on  the  5th,  Captain 
Perry  sailed  in  quest  of  the  enemy,  having  received  on  board 
a  number  of  soldiers  and  volunteers.  He  ran  off  Long  Point, 
and  sweeping  the  Canada  shore  for  some  distance,  returned  to 
Erie  on  the  8th.  Taking  in  some  supplies,  he  was  about  to 
proceed  up  the  lake  again,  when  intelligence  arrived  that  a 
party  sent  from  below,  under  Lieutenant  Elliott,  ^as  at  Cat- 
taraugus, on  its  way  to  join  the  squadron.  A  vessel  was  im- 
mediately sent  for  this  acceptable  reinforcement.  Shortly  after 
its  arrival,  the  commissions  that  had  been  made  out  some  time 
previously,  were  received  from  below.  By  these  changes,  Mr. 
Elliott  became  a  master  and  commander,  and  Messrs.  Holdup, 
Packett,  Yarnall,  Edwards,  and  Conklin,  were  raised  to  the 
rakik  of  lieutenants.  Most  of  these  gentlemen,  however,  had 
been  acting  for  some  months. 

The  American  squadron  now  consisted  of  the  Lawrence  20, 
Captain  Perry ;  Niagara  20,  Captain  Elliott ;  Caledonia  3,  Mr. 
M'Grath,  a  purser;  Ariel  4,  Lieutenant  Packett;  Trippe  1, 
Lieutenant  Smith ;  Tigress  1,  Lieutenant  Conklin  ;  Somers  2, 
Mr.  Alney ;  Scorpion  2,  Mr.  Champlin ;  Ohio  1,  Mr.  Dobbins ; 
and  Porcupine  1,  Mr.  Senatt.  On  the  18th  of  August,  this  force 
sailed  from  Erie,  and  off  Sandusky,  a  fev  days  later,  it  chased, 
and  was  near  capturing  one  of  the  enemy's  schooners. 

The  squadron  cruised  for  several  days,  near  the  entrance 
of  the  strait,  when  Captain  Perry  was  taken  ill  with  the  fever 
peculiar  to  these  waters,  and  shortly  after  the  vessels  went  into 
Put-in  Bay,  a  harbour,  among  some  islands  that  lay  at  no 
great  distance. 

Here  a  few  changes  occurred,  Mr.  Smith  going  to  the 
Niagara,  and  Mr.  Holdup  to  the  Trippe ;  Mr.  M'Grath  went 
also  to  the  Niagara,  and  Mr.  Turner  took  command  of  the 
Caledonia.    The  Ohio  was  sent  down  the  lake  on  duty. 

While  in  port,  on  this  occasion.  Captain  Perry  contemplated 
an  attack  on  the  enemy's  vessels,  by  means  of  boats ;  and 


1813.] 


NAV A  L    HISTORY 


387 


orders  were  issued,  accordingly,  to  drill  the  people  with  muf- 
fled oars. 

The  squadron  was  still  lying  at  Put-in  Bay  on  the  morning 
of  the  10th  of  September,  when,  at  daylight,  the  enemy's  ships 
were  discovered  at  the  N.  W.  from  the  mast-head  of  the  Law- 
rence. A  signal  was  immediately  made  for  all  the  vessels  to 
get  under  way.  The  wind  was  light  at  S.  W.,  and  there  was 
no  mode  of  obtaining  the  weather-gage  of  the  enemy,  a  very 
important  measure  with  the  peculiar  armament  of  the  largest 
of  the  American  vessels,  but  by  beating  round  some  small 
islands  that  lay  in  the  way.  It  being  thought  there  was  not 
sufficient  time  for  this,  though  the  boats  were  got  ahead  to  tow, 
a  signal  was  about  to  be  made  for  the  vessels  to  ware,  and  to 
pass  to  leeward  of  the  islands,  with  an  intention  of  giving  the 
enemy  this^  great  advantage,  when  the  wind  shifted  to  S.  E. 
By  this  change  the  American  squadron  was  enabled  to  pass  in 
the  desired  direction,  and  to  gain  the  wind.  When  he  per- 
ceived the  American  vessels  clearing  the  land,  or  about  10 
A.  M.,  the  enemy  hove-to,  in  a  line,  with  his  ships'  heads  to 
the  southward  and  westward.  At  this  time  the  two  squadrons 
were  about  three  leagues  asunder,  the  breeze  being  still  at  S. 
E.,  and  sufficient  to  work  with.  After  standing  down,  until 
about  a  league  from  the  English,  where  a  better  view  was  got 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  enemy  had  formed  his  line,  the 
leading  vessels  of  his  own  squadron  being  within  hail.  Captain 
Perry  communicated  a  new  order  of  attack.  It  had  been  ex- 
pected that  the  Queen  Charlotte,  the  second  of  the  English 
vessels,  in  regard  to  force,  would  be  at  the  head  of  their  line, 
and  the  Niagara  had  been  destined  to  lead  in,  and  to  lie  against 
her,  Captain  Perry  having  reserved  for  himself  a  commander's 
privilege  of  engaging  the  principal .  vessel  of  the  opposing 
squadron ;  but,  it  now  appearing  that  the  anticipated  arrange- 
ment had  not  been  made,  the  plan  was  promptly  altered. 
Captain  Barclay  had  formed  his  line  with  the  Chippeway,  Mr. 
Campbell,  armed  with  one  gun  on  a  pivot,  in  the  van ;  the 
Detroit,  his  own  vessel,  next;  and  the  Hunter,  Lieutenant 
Bignall;  Queen  Charlotte,  Captain  Finnis;  Lady  Prevost, 
Lieutenant  Commandant  Buchan ;  and  Little  Belt  astern,  in 
the  order  named.  To  oppose  this  line,  the  Ariel,  of  four  long 
twelves,  was  stationed  in  the  van,  and  the  Scorpion,  of  one 
long  and  one  short  gun  on  circles,  next  her.  The  Lawrence, 
Captain  Perry,  came  next ;  the  two  schooners  just  mentioned 
keeping  on  her  weather  bow,  having  no  quarters.    The  Cale- 


388 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1813. 


donia,  Lieutenant  Turner,  was  the  next  astern,  and  the 
Niagara,  Captain  Elliot,  was  placed  next  to  the  Caledonia. 
These  vessels  were  all  up  at  the  time,  but  the  other  light  craft 
were  more  or  less  distant,  each  endeavouring  to  get  into  her 
berth.  The  order  of  battle  for  the  remaining  vessels,  directed 
the  Tigress  to  fall  in  astern  of  the  Niagara,  the  Somers  next, 
and  then  the  Porcupine  and  Trippe,  in  the  order  named. 

By  this  time  the  wind  had  got  to  bo  very  light,  but  the  lead- 
ing vessels  were  all  in  their  stations,  and  the  remainder  were 
endeavouring  to  get  in  as  fast  as  possible.  The  English  ves- 
sels presented  a  very  gallant  array,  and  their  appearance  was 
beautiful  and  imposing.  Their  line  was  compact,  with  the 
heads  of  the  vessels  still  to  the  southward  and  westward ;  their 
ensigns  were  just  opening  to  the  air ;  their  vessels  were  freshly 
painted,  and  their  canvass  was  new  aqd  perfect.  The  Ameri- 
can line  was  more  straggling.  The  order  of  battle  required 
them  to  form  within  half  a  cable's  length  of  each  other,  but  the 
schooners  astern  could  not  close  with  the  vessels  ahead,  which 
sailed  faster,  and  had  more  light  canvass,  until  some  consider- 
able time  had  elapsed. 

A  few  minutes  before  twelve,  the  Detroit  threw  a  twenty- 
four-pound  shot  at  the  Lawrence,  then  on  her. weather  quarter, 
distant  between  one  and  two  miles.  Captain  Perry  now  passed 
an  order  by  trumpet,  through  the  vessels  astern,  for  the  line  to 
close  to  the  prescribed  order ;  and  soon  after,  the  Scorpion  was 
hailed,  and  directed  to  begin  with  her  long  gun.  At  this  mo- 
ment, the  American  vessels  in  line  were  edging  down  upon  the 
English,  those  in  front  being  necessarily  nearer  to  the  enemy 
than  those  more  astern,  with  the  exception  of  the  Ariel  and 
Scorpion,  which  two  schooners  had  been  ordered  to  keep  well 
to  windward  of  the  Lawrence.  As  the  Detroit  had  an  arma- 
ment of  long  guns.  Captain  Barclay  manifested  his  judgment 
in  commencing  the  action  in  this  manner ;  and  in  a  short  time, 
the  firing  between  that  ship,  the  Lawrence,  and  the  two 
schooners  at  the  head  of  the  American  line,  got  to  be  very 
animated.  The  Lawrence  now  showed  a  signal  for  the 
squadron  to  close,  each  vessel  in  her  station,  as  previously 
designated.  A  few  minutes  later  the  vessels  astern  began  to 
fire,  and  the  action  became  general  but  distant.  The  Law- 
rence, however,  appeared  to  be  the  principal  aim  of  the  enemy, 
and  before  the  firing  had  lasted  any  material  time,  the  Detroit, 
Hunter,  and  Queen  Charlotte,  were  directing  most  of  their 
efforts  against  her.     The  American  brig  endeavoured  to  close. 


181i.j 


NAVAL    HI  STORY. 


389 


and  did  succeed  in  getting  within  reach  of  canister,  though 
not  without  suffering  materially,  as  she  fanned  down  upon  the 
enemy.  At  this  time,  the  support  of  the  two  schooners  ahead, 
which  were  well  commanded  and  fought,  was  of  the  greatest 
moment  to  her ;  for  the  vessels  astern,  though  in  the  line,  could 
be  of  little  use  n  diverting  the  fire,  on  account  of  their  positions 
and  the  distance.  After  the  firing  had  lasted  some  time,  the 
Niagara  hailed  the  Caledonia,  and  directed  the  latter  to  make 
room  for  the  former  to  pass  ahead.  Mr.  Turner  put  his  helm 
up  in  the  most  dashing  manner,  and  continued  to  near  the 
enemy,  until  he  was  closer  to  his  line,  perhaps,  than  the  com- 
manding vessel ;  keeping  up  as  warm  a  fire  as  his  sniall  arma- 
ment would  allow.  The  Niagara  now  became  the  vessel  next 
astern  of  the  Lawrence. 

The  cannonade  had  the  usual  effect  of  deadening  the  wind, 
and  for  two  hours  there  was  very  little  air.  During  all  this 
time,  the  weight  of  the  enemy's  fire  was  directed  against  the 
Lawrence ;  the  Queen  Charlotte  having  filled,  passed  the  Hun- 
ter, and  closed  with  the  Detroit,  where  she  kept  up  a  destruc- 
tive cannonading  on  this  devoted  vessel.  These  united  attacks 
dismantled  the  American  brig,  besides  producing  great  slaugh- 
ter on  board  her.  At  the  end  of  two  hours  and  a  half,  agree- 
ably to  the  report  of  Captain  Perry,  the  enemy  having  filled, 
and  the  wind  increasing,  the  two  squadrons  drew  slowly  ahead, 
the  Lawrence  necessarily  falling  astern  and  partially  out  of  the 
combat.  At  this  moment  the  Niagara  passed  to  the  southward 
and  westward,  a  short  distance  to  windward  of  the  Lawrence, 
steering  for  the  head  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  the  Caledonia 
followed  to  leeward. 

The  vessels  astern  had  not  been  idle,  but,  by  dint  of  sweep- 
ing and  sailing,  they  had  all  got  within  reach  of  their  guns, 
and  had  been  gradually  closing,  though  not  in  the  prescribed 
order.  The  rear  of  the  line  would  seem  to  have  inclined  down 
towards  the  enemy,  bringing  tho  Trippe,  Lieutenant  Holdup, 
so  near  the  Caledonia,  that  the  latter  sent  a  boat  to  her  for  a 
supply  of  cartridges. 

Captain  Perry,  finding  himself  in  a  vessel  that  had  been 
rendered  r,  early  useless  by  the  injuries  she  had  received,  and 
which  was  dropping  out  of  the  combat,  got  into  his  boat,  and 
pulled  after  the  Niagara,  on  board  of  which  vessel  he  arrived 
at  about  half-past  2.  Soon  after,  the  colours  of  the  Lawrence 
were  hauled  down,  that  vessel  being  literally  a  wreck. 

After  a  short  consultation  between  Captains  Perry  and 
33* 


300 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


Elliott,  the  latter  volunteered  to  take  the  ooat  of  the  former, 
and  to  proceed  and  bring  the  small  vessels  astern,  which  were 
already  briskly  engaged,  into  still  closer  action.  This  propo- 
sal being  accepted,  Captain  Elliott  pulled  down  the  line,,  passing 
within  hail  of  all  the  smoU  vessels  astern,  directing  them  to 
close  within  half  pistol-shot  of  the  enemy,  and  to  throw  in 
grape  and  canister,  as  soon  as  they  could  get  the  desired  posi- 
tions! He  then  repaired  on  board  the  Somers,  and  took  charge 
of  that  schooner  in  person. 

When  the  enemy  saw  the  colours  of  the  Lawrence  come 
down,  he  confidently  believed  that  he  had  gained  the  day. 
His  men  appeared  over  the  bulwarks  of  the  different  vessels 
and  gave  three  cheers.  For  a  few  minutes,  indeed,  there  ap- 
pears to  have  been,  as  if  by  common  consent,  nearly  a  general 
cessation  in  the  firing,  during  which  both  parties  were  pre- 
paring for  a  desperate  and  final  effort.  The  wind  had  fresh- 
ened, and  the  position  of  the  Niagara,  which  brig  was  now 
abeam  of  the  leading  English  vessel,  was  commanding ;  while 
the  gun-vessels  astern,  in  consequence  of  the  increasing  breeze, 
were  enabled  to  close  very  fast. 

At  45  minutes  past  2,  or  when  time  had  been  given  to  the 
gun-vessels  to  receive  the  order  mentioned,  Captain  Perry 
showed  the  signal  from  the  Niagara,  for  close  action,  and  im- 
mediately bore  up,  under  his  foresail,  topsails,  and  topgallant- 
sail.  As  the  American  vessels  hoisted  their  answering  flags, 
this  order  was  received  with  three  cheers,  and  it  was  obeyed 
with  alacrity  and  spirit.  The  enemy  had  attempted  to  ware 
round,  to  get  fresh  broadsides  to  bear,  in  doing  which  his  line 
got  into  confusion,  and  the  two  ships  for  a  short  time,  were 
foul  of  each  other,  while  the  Lady  Prevost  had  so  far  shifted 
her  berth,  as  to  be  both  to  the  westward  and  to  the  leeward  of 
the  Detroit.  At  this  critical  moment,  the  Niagara  came 
steadily  down,  within  half  pistol-shot  of  the  enemy,  standing 
between  the  Chippeway  and  Lady  Prevost,  on  one  side,  and 
the  Detroit,  Queen  Charlotte,  and  Hunter,  on  the  other.  In 
passing,  she  poured  in  her  broadsides,  starboard  and  larboard, 
ranged  ahead  of  the  ships,  luffed  athwart  their  bows,  and  con- 
tinued delivering  a  close  and  deadly  fire.  The  shrieks  from 
the  Detroit,  proclaimed  that  the  tide  of  battle  had  turned.  At 
the  same  moment,  the  gun-vessels  and  Caledonia  were  throw- 
ing in  close  discharges  of  grape  and  canister  astern.  A  con- 
flict so  fearfully  close,  and  so  deadly,  was  necessarily  short. 
In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  after  the  Niagara  bore  up;  a  hail 


1813.] 


NAVAL     ill  STORY. 


391 


was  passed  among  the  small  vessels,  to  say  that  the  enemy 
had  struck,  and  an  officer  of  the  Queen  Charlotte  appeared  on 
the  tafiruil  of  that  ship,  waving  a  white  handkerchief,  bent  to 
a  boarding-pike. 

As  soon  as  the  smoke  cleared  away,  the  two  squadrons  were 
found  partly  intermingled.  The  'Niagara  lay  to  leeward  of 
the  Detroit,  Queen  Charlotte,  and  Hunter ;  and  the  Caledonia, 
with  one  or  two  of  the  gun-vessels,  was  between  the  latter  and 
the  Lady  Prevost.  On  board  the  Niagara,  the  signal  for  close 
action  was  still  abroad,  while  the  small  vessels  were  sternly 
wearing  their  answering  flags.  The  Little  Belt  and  Chippe- 
way  were  endeavouring  to  escape  to  leeward,  but  they  were 
shortly  alter  brought-to  by  the  Scorpion  and  Trippe ;  while 
the  Lawrence  was  lying  astern  and  to  windward,  with  the 
American  colours  again  flying.  The  battle  had  commenced 
about  noon,  and  it  terminated  at  3,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
shots  fired  at  the  two  vessels  that  attempted  to  escape,  which 
were  not  overtaken  until  an  hour  later. 

In  this  decisive  action,  so  far  as  their  people  were  concern- 
ed, the  two  squadrons  sufiered  in  nearly  an  equal  degree,  the 
manner  in  which  the  Lawrence  was  cut  up,  being  almost  with- 
out an  example  in  naval  warfare.  It  is  understood  that  when 
Captain  Perry  lefl;  her,  she  had  but  one  gun  on  her  starboard 
side,  or  that  on  which  she  was  engaged,  which  could  be  used, 
and  that  gallant  officer  is  said  to  have  aided  in  firing  it  in  per- 
son the  last  time  it  was  discharged.  Of  her  crew,  22  were 
killed,  and  61  were  wounded,  most  of  the  latter  severely. 
When  Captain  Perry  left  her,  taking  with  him  his  own  brother 
and  six  of  his  people,  there  remained  on  board  but  1'.  sound 
men.  The  Niagara  had  2  killed,  and  25  wounded,  or  about 
one-fourth  of  all  at  quarters.  This  was  the  official  report ; 
but,  according  to  the  statement  of  her  surgeon,  her  loss  was 
5  killed,  and  27  wounded.  The  other  vessels  suflTered  rela- 
tively less.  The  Caledonia,  Lieutenant  Turner,  though  car- 
ried into  the  hottest  of  the  action,  and  entirely  without  quar- 
ters, had  3  men  wounded ;  the  Trippe,  Lieutenant  Holdup, 
which,  for  some  time,  was  quite  as  closely  engaged,  and  was 
equally  without  quarters,  had  2  men  wounded ;  the  Somers, 
Mr.  Almy,  the  same ;  the  Ariel,  Lieutenant  Packett,  had  1 
man  killed,  and  3  wounded ;  the  Scorpion,  Mr.  Champlin,  had 
2  killed,  one  of  whom  was  a  midshipman ;  the  Tigress,  Lieu- 
tenant Conklin,  and  Porcupine,  Mr.  Senatt,  had  no  one  hurt. 
The  total  loss  of  the  squadron  was  27  killed,  and  96  wound- 


392 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[i8ia 


ed,  or  altogether  123  men;  of  whom  12  wore  quarter-deck 
officers.  More  than  a  hundred  men  were  unfit  for  duty,  among 
the  different  vessels,  previously  to  the  action,  cholera  morbus  and 
dysentery  prevailing  in  the  squadron.  Captain  Perry  himself 
was  labouring  under  debility,  from  a  recent  attack  of  the  lake 
fever,  and  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  in  a  proper  condition  for 
service,  when  he  met  the  enemy ;  a  circumstance  that  greatly 
enhances  the  estimate  of  his  personal  exertions  on  this  memo- 
rable occasion.  Among  the  Americans  slain,  were  Lieutenant 
Brdoks,  the  commanding  marine  officer,  and  Messrs.  Laub  and 
Clark,  midshipmen ;  and  among  the  woui^ded,  Messrs.  Ynrnall 
and  Forrest,  the  first  and  second  lieutenants  of  the  Lawrence, 
Mr.  Taylor,  her  master,  Mr.  Hambleton,  her  purser,  and 
Messrs.  Swartwout  and  Claxton,  two  of  her  midshipmen.  Mr. 
Edwards,  second  lieutenant  of  the  Niagara,  and  Mr.  Cum> 
mings,  one  of  her  midshipmen,  were  also  wounded. 

For  two  hours  the  weight  of  the  enemy's  fire  had  been 
thrown  into  the  Lawrence;  and  the  water  being  perfectly 
smooth,  his  long  guns  had  committed  great  havoc,  before  the 
carronades  of  the  American  vessels  could  be  made  available. 
For  much  of  this  period,  it  is  believed  that  the  efforts  of  the 
enemy  were  little  diverted,  except  by  the  fire  of  the  two  lead- 
ing schooners,  a  gun  of  one  of  which  (the  Ariel)  •  had  early 
bursted,  the  two  long  guns  of  the  large  brigs,  and  the  iwo  long 
guns  of  the  Caledonia.  Although  the  enemy  undoubtedly  suf- 
fered by  this  fire,  it  was  not  directed  at  a  single  object,  as  was 
the  case  with  that  of  the  English,  who  appeared  to  think  that 
by  destroying  the  American  commanding  vessel  they  would 
conquer.  It  is  true  that  carronades  were  used  on  both  sides, 
at  an  earlier  stage  of  the  action  than  that  mentioned,  but  there 
is  good  reason  for  thinking  that  they  did  but  little  execution 
for  the  first  hour.  When  they  did  tell,  the  Lawrence,  the  ves- 
sel nearest  to  the  enemy,  if  the  Caledonia  be  excepted,  neces- 
sarily became  their  object,  and,  by  this  time,  the  efficiency  of 
her  own  battery  was  much  lessened.  As  a  consequence  of 
these  peculiar  circumstances,  her  starboad  bulwarks  were  near- 
ly beaten  in ;  and  even  her  larboard  were  greatly  injured, 
many  of  the  enemy's  heavy  shot  passing  through  both  sides ; 
while  every  gun  was  finally  disabled  in  the  batteries  fought. 
Although  much  has  been  justly  said  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  Bon  Homme  Richard  and  the  Essex  were  injured,  neither 
of  those  ships  suffered,  relatively,  in  a  degree  proportioned  to 
the  Lawrence.    Distinguished  as  were  the  two  former  vessels, 


1813.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


393 


for  the  indomitable  resolution  witn  which  they  withstood  the 
destructive  fire  directed  against  them,  it  did  not  surpass  that 
manifested  on  board  the  latter ;  and  it  ought  to  be  mentioned, 
that  throughout  the  whole  of  this  trying  day,  her  people,  who 
had  been  so  short  a  time  acting  together,  manifested  a  steadi- 
ness and  a  discipline  worthy  of  veterans. 

Although  the  Niagara  suffered  in  a  much  less  degree,  27 
men  killed  and  wounded,  in  a  ship's  company  that  mustered 
little  more  than  100  souls  at  quarters,  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, would  be  thought  a  large  proportion.  Neither  the 
Niagara  nor  any  of  the  smaller  vessels  were  injured  in  an 
unusual  manher  in  their  hulls,  spars,  and  sails,  the  enemy  hav- 
ing expended  so  much  of  his  efforts  against  the  Lawrence,  and 
being  so  soon  silenced  when  that  brig  and  the  gun-vessels  got 
their  raking  positions,  at  the  close  of  the  conflict. 

The  injuries  sustained  by  the  English  were  more  divided, 
but  were  necessarily  great.  According  to  the  official  report 
of  Captain  Barclay,  his  vessels  lost  41  killed,  and  94  wound- 
ed, making  a  total  of  135,  including  twelve  officers,  the  pre- 
cise number  lost  by  the  Americans.  No  report  has  been  pub- 
lished, in  which  the  loss  of  the  respective  vessels  was  given ; 
but  the  Detroit  had  her  first  lieutenant  killed,  and  her  com- 
mander. Captain  Barclay,  with  her  purser,  wounded.  Captain 
Finnis,  of  the  Queen  Charlotte,  was  also  slain,  and  her  first 
lieutenant  was  wounded.  The  commanding  officer  and  first 
lieutenant  of  the  Lady  Prevost  wore  among  the  wounded,  as 
were  the  commanding  officers  of  the  Hunter  and  Chippeway. 
All  the  vessels  were  a  good  deal  injured  in  their  sails  and  hulls ; 
the  Queen  Charlotte  suffering  most  in  proportion.  Both  the 
Detroit  and  Queen  Charlotte  rolled  the  masts  out  of  them,  at 
anchor  at  Put-in  Bay,  in  a  gale  of  wind,  two  days  afler  the 
action. 

It  is  not  easy  to  make  a  just  comparison  between  the  forces 
of  the  hostile  squadrons  on  this  occasion.  In  certain  situations 
the  Americans  would  have  been  materially  superior,  while  in 
others  the  enemy  might  possess  the  advantage  in  perhaps  an 
equal  degree.  In  the  circumstances  under  which  the  action 
was  actually  fought,  the  peculiar  advantages  and  disadvantages 
were  nearly  equalized,  the  lightness  of  the  wind  peventing 
either  of  the  two  largest  of  the  American  vessels  from  profit- 
ing by  its  peculiar  mode  of  efficiency,  until  quite  near  the 
close  of  the  engagement,  and  particularly  favouring  the  arma- 
ment of  the  Detroit ;  while  the  smoothness  of  the  water  ren- 


394 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813. 


i 
1 


dered  the  light  vessels  of  the  Americans  very  destructive  as 
soon  as  they  could  be  got  ^\'ithin  a  proper  range.  The  De- 
troit has  been  represented  on  good  authority,  to  have  been  both 
a  heavier  and  stronger  ship,  than  either  of  the  American  brigs, 
and  the  Queen  Charlotte  proved  to  be  a  much  finer  vessel  than 
had  been  expected ;  while  the  Lady  Provost  was  found  to  be 
a  large,  warlike  schooner.  It  was,  perhaps,  unfortunate  for 
the  enemy,  that  the  armaments  of  the  two  last  were  not  avail- 
able under  the  circumstances  which  rendered  the  Detroit  so 
efficient,  as  it  destroyed  the  unity  of  his  efforts.  In  short,  the 
battle,  for  near  half  its  duration,  appears  to  have  been  fought, 
so  far  as  efficiency  was  concerned,  by  the  long  guns  of  the 
two  squadrons.  This  was  particularly  favourable  to  the  De- 
troit and  to  the  American  gun-vessels ;  while  the  latter  fought 
under  the  advantages  of  smooth  water,  and  the  disadvantages 
of  having  no  quarters.  The  sides  of  the  Detroit,  which  were 
unusually  stout,  were  filled  with  shot  that  did  not  penetrate. 

In  the  number  of  men  at  quarters,  there  could  have  been  no 
great  disparity  in  the  two  squadrons.  Mr.  Yarnall,  the  first 
lieutenant  of  the  Lawrence,  testified  before  a  court  of  inquiry, 
in  1815,  that  the  brig  to  which  he  belonged  had  but  **  131  men 
and  boys,  of  every  description"  on  board  her,  and  that  of  these 
but  103  were  fit  for  duty  in  the  action.  The  Niagara  was 
nearly  in  the  same  state.  A  part  of  the  crews  of  all  the  ves- 
sels belonged  to  the  militia.  Indeed,  without  a  large  propor- 
tion of  volunteers  from  the  army,  the  battle  could  not  have 
been  fought.  The  British  were  no  better  off,  having  a  con- 
siderable proportion  of  soldiers  on  board  their  vessels,  though 
men  of  that  description  were  probably  as  efficient  iii  smooth 
water,  and  under  the  actual  circumstances,  as  ordinary  sailors. 

Captain  Perry,  in  his  report  of  the  action,  eulogised  the  con- 
duct of  his  second  in  command.  Captain  Elliott ;  that  of  Mr. 
Turner,  who  commanded  the  Caledonia  ;  and  that  of  the  officers 
of  his  own  vessel.  He  also  commended  the  officers  of  the 
Niagara,  Mr.  Packett  of  the  Ariel,  and  Mr.  Champlin  of  the 
Scorpion.  It  is  now  believed  that  the  omission  of  the  names 
of  the  commanders  of  the  gun-vessels  astern,  was  accidental. 
It  would  seem  that  these  vessels,  in  general,  were  conducted 
with  great  gallantry.  Towr.rds  the  close  of  the  action,  indeed, 
the  Caledonia,  and  some  of  the  gun-vessels,  would  appear  to 
have  been  handled  with  a  boldness,  considering  their  total 
want  of  quarters,  bordering  on  temerity.  They  are  known  to 
have  been  within  hail  of  the  enemy,  at  the  moment  he  struck, 
and  to  have  been  hailed  by  him.    The  grape  and  canister 


1813.] 


N  AT  AL    HISTORY. 


395 


thrown  by  the  Niagara  and  the  schooners,  during  the  last  ten 
minutes  of  the  battle,  and  which  missed  the  enemy,  rattled 
through  the  spars  of  the  friendly  vessels,  as  they  lay  opposite 
to  each  other,  raking  the  English  ahead  and  astern. 

Captain  Perry  was  criticised,  at  the  time,  for  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  brought  his  squadron  into  action^  it  being  thought 
he  should  have  waited  until  his  line  was  more  compactly 
formed,  and  his  small  vessels  could  have  closed.  It  has  been 
said,  that  *'  an  officer  seldom  went  into  action  worse,  or  got 
out  of  it  better."  Truth  is  too  often  made  the  sacrifice  of 
antithesis.  The  mode  of  attack  appears  to  have  been  deemed 
by  the  enemy  judicious,  an  opinion  that  speaks  in  its  favour. 
The  lightness  of  the  wind,  in  edging  down,  was  the  only  cir- 
cumstance 2hat  was  particularly  adverse  to  the  American  ves- 
sels, but  its  total  failure  could  not  have  been  foreseen.  The 
shortness  of  the  distances  on  the  lake  tendered  escape  so  easy, 
when  an  officer  was  disposed  to  avoid  a  battle,  that  no  com- 
mander, who  desired  an  action,  would  have  been  pardonable 
for  permitting  a  delay  on  such  a  plea.  The  line  of  battle  was 
highly  judicious,  the  manner  in  which  the  Lawrence  was  sup- 
ported by  the  Ariel  and  Scor^>ion  being  simple  and  ingenious. 
By  steering  for  the  head  of  the  enemy's  line,  the  latter  was 
prevented  from  gaining  the  wind  by  tacking,  and  when  Captain 
Elliott  imitated  this  manoeuvre  in  the  Niagara,  the  American 
squadron  had  a  very  commanding  position,  of  which  Captain 
Perry  promptly  availed  himself.  In  a  word,  the  American 
commander  appears  to  have  laid  his  plan  with  skill  and  judg- 
ment, and,  in  all  in  which  it  was  frustrated,  it  would  seem  to 
have  been  the  effect  of  accident.  •  There  has  never  been  but 
one  opinion  of  the  manner  in  which  he  redeemed  hb  error, 
even  admitting  that  a  fault  was  made  at  the  outset ;  the  united 
movements  of  the  Niagara  and  of  the  small  vessels,  at  the 
close  of  the  action,  having  been  as  judicious  as  they  were  gal- 
lant and  decisive.  The  personal  deportment  of  Captain  Perry, 
throughout  the  day,  was  worthy  of  all  praise.  He  did  not 
quit  his  own  vessel  when  she  became  useless,  to  retire  from 
the  battle,  but  to  gain  it ;  an  end  that  was  fully  obtained,  and 
an  effort  which  resulted  in  a  triumph. 

The  British  vessels  appear  to  have  been  gallantly  fought,  and 
were  surrendered  only  when  the  battle  was  hopelessly  lost. 
The  fall  of  their  different  commanders  was  materially  against 
them,  though  it  is  not  probable  the  day  could  have  been  reco^ 
vered  after  the  Niagara  gained  the  head  of  their  lint)  and  thQ 


396 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1813-14. 


sun>vo8sels  had  closed.  If  tho  enomy  made  an  error,  it  was 
in  not  lacking  when  ho  attomptod  to  ware,  but  it  is  quito  pro- 
bable that  the  condition  of  his  vossoU  did  not  admit  of  tho 
former  manoeuvre.  There  was  an  instant  when  the  enemy  be- 
lieved himself  tho  conqueror,  and  a  lew  minutes  oven,  when 
tho  Americans  doubted ;  but  the  latter  never  despaired  ;  a  mo- 
ment sufHced  to  change  their  feelings,  teaching  tho  successful 
the  fickleness  of  fortune,  and  admonishing  the  depressed  of  the 
virtue  of  perseverance. 

For  hia  conduct  in  this  battle.  Captain  Perry  received  a  gold 
medal  from  Congress.  Captain  £lliott  also  received  a  gold 
medal.  Rewards  were  bostowed  on  the  officers  and  men 
generally,  and  tho  nation  has  long  considered  this  action  one 
of  its  proudest  achievements  on  the  water. 

On  the  S3d  of  October,  the  squadron  transported  the  army 
of  General  Harrison  to  Buffalo;  and  on  the  26th,  Captain  Perry 
resigned  the  command  of  the  upper  lakes  to  Captain  Elliott, 
repairing  himself  to  the  sea-boanl.  November  29th,  this  gal- 
lant and  successful  officer  received  tho  commission  of  a  cap- 
tain, which  was  dated  on  the  day  of  the  victory,  and  soon  after 
he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Java  44,  a  new  fri- 
gate, then  fitting  for  sea  at  Baltimore. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


In  February,  1814,  three  vessels  were  laid  down  at  the  Har- 
bour, a  frigate  of  60  guns,  and  two  large  brigs,  pierced  for  22 
guns  each.  As  the  English  were  known  to  be  building  extensive- 
ly, the  timber  was  also  got  out  for  a  second  frigate.  Early  in 
March  many  deserters  came  in,  who  agreed  in  stating  that 
the  largest  of  the  enemy's  new  ships,  which  had  been  laid 
down  the  previous  autumn,  was  caulked  and  decked,  and  that 
she  was  pierced  for  60  guns.  A  third  ship  was  also  said  to 
be  in  preparation.  In  consequence  of  this  intelligence,  the  size 
of  the  first  American  frigate  was  materially  increased.  March 
26th,  the  important  information  was  obtained  that  the  enemy 
had  actually  laid  down  a  two-decked  vessel  of  unusual  dimen- 
sions.   Thus  did  those  inland  waters,  on  which,  until  quite 


I8I4.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


sot 


uite 


lately,  nothing  had  ever  floated  larger  than  a  sloop  of  wanr,  bid 
fair  to  witnesd  the  evolutions  of  fleets  I 

On  the  7th  of  April  one  of  the  new  brigs  was  launched.  Sh« 
was  called  the  Jeflbrson.  Still  the  guns  which  had  left  New 
York  two  months  previously,  had  r.ot  oven  reached  Albany. 
The  other  brig  was  launched  on  the  10th,  and  was  called  the 
Jones.  Not  a  man  or  gun,  however,  had  yet  arrived.  April 
the  11th,  the  enemy  was  ascertained  to  be  in  the  stream,  with 
all  his  vessels  of  the  previous  year;  and  on  the  14th,  he  put 
his  two  frigates  into  the  water.  The  Lady  of  the  Lake  was 
sent  out  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  English,  as  soon  as  the 
state  of  the  ice  permitted. 

April  25th,  while  rowing  guard.  Lieutenant  Dudley  detected 
three  boats  in  the  ofling,  and  immediately  fired  into  them. 
The  strangers  did  not  return  the  fire,  but  pulled  swiftly  away. 
Obtaining  a  reinforcement,  Mr.  Dudley  gave  chase,  but  could 
not  again  fall  in  with  the  suspicious  party.  The  next  day 
there  was  a  close  search,  and  at  the  spot  where  the  strangers 
received  the  fire  of  the  guard-boat,  six  barrels  of  gunpowder 
were  found  in  the  lake,  slung  in  such  a  manner,  that  one  man 
might  carry  two  at  a  time,  across  his  shoulders.  They  had 
fuse-holes,  and  were,  no  doubt,  intended  to  blow  up  the  frigate. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  the  American  frigate  was  launched. 
She  was  called  the  Superior.  Another  of  less  size,  was  im- 
mediately laid  down  on  her  blocks.  The  guns  began  to  arrive 
at  the  Harbour  about  the  beginning  of  May,  though  the  heavi- 
est were  still  working  their  way  through  the  imperfect  naviga- 
tion of  the  Mohawk  and  Wood  Creek,  towards  Oswego.  Oit 
the  4th,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  Lieutenant  Gregory,  saw  six 
sail  of  the  enemy  coming  out  of  Kingston,  about  dusk,  steering 
towards  Amherst  Bay ;  and  on  the  5th,  the  latter  appeared  off 
Oswego,  with  seven  sail.  The  greatest  exertions  were  now 
made  to  get  the  Pike,  Madison,  Jeflbrson,  Sylpb,  and  Oneida, 
ready  to  follow  him  ;  these  being  all  the  vessels  that  had  theif 
armaments,  the  small  schooners  being  pretty  generally  aban- 
doned as  cruisers,  and  converted  into  transports.  But  a  report 
was  received  from  Captain  Woolsey,  then  on  duty  at  Oswego, 
that  one  of  the  new  frigates  was  certainly  in  the  enemy's 
squadron ;  and  Mr.  -Gregory  brought  in  information  that  he  had 
seen  the  other  oflT  the  Ducks  the  same  day :  when  Commodore 
Chauncoy  abandoned  the  intention  to  go  out,  the  great  superi- 
ority of  the  English  putting  a  battle  out  of  the  question. 


-?4 


V 


398 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1813. 


The  active  cruising  force  under  Sir  Jurnc«  Yco,  consiH;od 
of  the  Prince  Ilof^cnt  68,  Captain  D'Conner,  tim  'hg.slji|>, 
armed  with  heavy  long  gunu,  sixty-eight  and  thirty-t\v'>.pound 
carronadcs,  and  containing  near  OOU  men  ;  the  Princess  Ciiur* 
lotto  42,  Captain  Mulcaster,  having  guns  nearly  or  quite  as 
heavy,  and  between  3U0  and  400  men;  the  Montreal,  (lute 
Wollc,)  Captain  Downio  ;  the  Niagara,  (late  lloyal  CJeorgo,) 
Captain  Popham ;  the  Charwell,  (late  Moira,)  Lieutenant 
Dobbs  ;  Magnet,  (late  Sidney  Smith  ;)  the  Star,  (late  Melville,) 
Captain  Clover;  and  the  Netley,  (late  Ucresford,)  Lieutenant 
Owen.  It  was  evident  that  nothing  less  than  unusually  heavy 
frigotC3  could  He  against  the  largest  of  these  vessels. 

Captain  VVoolsey  had  been  sent  to  Oswego,  to  transpot  the 
heavy  guns,  cables,  &c.,  of  the  two  new  frigates,  most  of  whicii 
had  reached  the  falls,  twelve  miles  above  that  town,  whr^i'e  they 
were  kept  for  the  sake  of  security,  until  the  schooners  could  bo 
loaded,  and  despatched  singly.  The  Growler  was  ia  the  river 
with  that  object,  when  Sir  James  Yeo  appeared  in  the  offing. 
Ho  was  about  to  make  a  descent,  with  a  body  of  troops,  on  the 
5th,  but  the  weather  induced  him  to  defer  the  enterprise.  On 
this  occasion,  there  was  some  firing,  and  the  enemy  abandoned 
an  empty  boat  or  two.  The  succeeding  day,  however,  every 
thing  being  favourable,  the  original  design  was  resumed. 

At  the  moment  wh«;'^  Sir  James  Yeo  appeared,  a  battalion 
of  the  light  artillery,  <'onsisting  of  290  effectives,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Miicnell..  was  at  Fort  Oswego,  and  but  a  few 
militia  had  been  called  in,  the  adjacent  country  being  little 
more  than  a  wilderness.  It  would  trespass  on  another  branch 
of  the  subject,  minutely  to  relate  the  affair  .that  followed.  Lieu- 
tenant General  Drummond  landed,  and  carried  the  place  ailer 
a  sharp  resistance ;  the  Americans  having  too  small  a  force  to 
repel  him. 

The  enemy  remained  two  days  at  Oswego,  when  they  raised 
the  Growler,  and  carried  her  off;  this  making  the  third  time 
that  vessel  had  been  taken  during  the  Ijx  ,t  year.  But  few 
stores  were  found  in  the  village,  the  orUtra  oi  Commodore 
Chauncey  having  requiiedthat  they  shouli^  bo  k\''^L  i  .lie  falls, 
until  vessels  were  ready  to  receive  them. 

Sir  James  Yeo  now  returned  to  Kingston,  landed  the  troops, 
and  on  the  19th,  he  came  out  and  chased  the  Lady  of  the  Lake 
into  the  Harbourv  off  which  place  he  appeared  with  four  ships 
.ind  three  brigs,  blockading  the  port,  for  the  first  and  only  time 
rluring  the  war.     At  this  moment,  many  of  the  stores,  and 


1814.] 


NAVAF.     HISTORY. 


399 


somo  of  tlio  lighter  gt'n«  wore  c<» mng  in  by  land,  fhough  the 
heavy  guns  n    I  rablen  si. II   rnmamed  in  the   Oswi        rivor. 

About  the  iiiiddio  of  Mny,  roiaibn  mnnts  of  otficors  uii'l  men 
bej^Jin  to  arrive  from  th(!  seaboard.  Th<  '  'n4'<'d()iiian  hut  en 
laid  U|)  in  the  Thames,  and  Mr.  UodgcrH,  her  first  licuteu.  \t, 
came  in  with  her  crow,  between  •  1 1th  i  id  the  21st.  Cui** 
tain  l^lliott  rejoined  the  station  >n  th<:)  >  'ith,  and  Captain 
Trenchnrd  on  the  15th.  The  Erii  x  new  hloop  of  war,  then 
blockaded  at  Haltimoro,  had  also  bi  ,i  laid  up,  and  her  com- 
mandor.  Captain  Ridgely,  with  his  prjoplo,  arrrived  some  time 
before,  and  wore  put  on  board  the  Jotferson. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  exertions  thii  had  Icicn  made  in 
building,  the  ships  were  useless  without  g  ns  i.nd  cables,  and 
most  of  tiiose  intended  for  the  two  frigat«;8,  hnfl  yet  to  be  trans- 
jKjrted  to  the  Harbour  by  water,  their  weight  and  the  state  of 
the  roads  rendering  other  means  too  costly  ani  difficult.  Cap- 
tain Woolsey,  who  was  still  entrusted  with  n  ^  duty,  caused 
reports  to  bo  circulated  that  the  heavy  articles  were  to  be  sent 
back  to  tho  Oneida  lake;  and  when  time  hnd  b(  m  allowed  for 
the  enemy  to  receive  this  false  information,  he  "an  the  guns 
»jvcr  the  falls,  and  at  sunset,  on  tho  28th  of  Mu  ',  ho  reached 
Oswego  with  19  boats  loaded  with  21  long  thirty-t  o-pounders, 
18  twenty-four  pounders,  3  forty-two-pound  car.  >nades,  and 
10  cables.  The  look-outs  having  reported  the  con  t  clear,  the 
brigade  of  boats  rowed  out  of  tho  river,  at  dusk,  and  after  pass« 
ing  a  dark  and  rainy  night  at  tho  oars,  reached  thi  mouth  of 
Big  Salmon  River,  at  sunrise  on  tho  20th,  one  b(  it  having 
unaccountably  disappeared. 

Captain  Woolsey  was  accompanied  by  a  detachment  of  130 
riflemen,  under  Major  Appling,  and  at  the  Big  Salmon  he  also 
met  a  party  of  Oneida  Indians,  which  had  been  directt  d  to  fol- 
low on  the  shore.  Tho  brigade  now  proceeded,  entered  the 
Big  Sandy  Creek,  and  ascended  about  two  miles  to  its  place  of 
destination ;  the  blockade  rendering  it  necessary  to  convey  the 
supplies  by  land  the  remainder  of  the  distance. 

At  this  time,  the  English  squadron  lay  at  anchor,  a  few 
miles  from  tho  Harbour,  and  the  missing  boat  had  gone  ahead, 
in  the  professed  hope  of  making  the  whole  distance  by  water. 
Seeing  tho  English  ships,  either  by  mistake  or  treachery  it 
pullcti  directly  for  them,  under  a  belief,  real  or  pretended,  that 
tliny  were  Americans.  It  is  thought,  however,  that  the  people 
in  thn  boat  were  deceived. 

From  the  prisoners,  Sir  James  Yeo  learned  the  situatfon  of 


mmmum 


400 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y. 


[1814. 


I 


the  remainder  of  the  brigade.  He  had  gun-boats  on  the  sta- 
tion, and  Captain  Popham  of  the  Montreal,  was  put  into  one, 
and  Captain  Spilsbury  into  another  having  three  cutters  and  a 
gig  in  company.  Ailer  cruising  without  success,  separately, 
the  two  parties  joined,  and  having  ascertained  that  the  brigade 
had  entered  Sandy  Creek,  they  followed  on  the  30th,  with  the 
expectation  of  capturing  it.  Major  Appling,  being  apprised  of 
the  approach  of  the  enemy,  placed  his  riflemen,  supported  by 
the  Indians,  in  ambush,  about  half  a  mile  below  the  place 
where  Captain  Woolsey  was  discharging  the  stores.  The  ene- 
my had  a  party  of  marines  on  board,  under  two  lieutenants  of 
that  corps.  These,  in  conjunction  with  a  body  of  seamen, 
were  landed,  and  the  gun-boats  approached,  throwing  grape  and 
canister  into  the  bushes,  with  a  view  to  feel  their  way.  Ma- 
jor Appling  permitted  the  enemy  to  get  quite  near,  when  he 
threw  in  a  close  discharge  of  the  rifle.  The  resistance  was 
trifling,  and  in  ten  minutes  the  whole  of  the  English  demanded 
quarter.  The  enemy  had  a  midshipman  and  13  seamen  and 
marines  killed,  and  2  lieutenants  of  marines,  with  26  common 
men  wounded.  In  addition  to  the  wounded,  there  was  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  prisoners  made  to  raise  his  total  loss  to  180. 
All  the  boats  were  taken,  the  three  gun-vessels  carrying  68, 
24,  18  and  12  pound  carronades.  Among  the  prisoners  were 
Captains  Popham  and  Spilsbury,  4  sea-lieutenants,  and  2  mid- 
shipmen. Although  there  was  a  considerable  force  a  short 
distance  above,  without  the  range  of  the  rifle,  the  command  of 
Major  Appling,  which  effected  this  handsonie  exploit,  was 
scarcely  equal  to  the  enemy  in  numbers,  and  yet  he  had  but  a 
single  man  wounded.  This  little  success  was  the  effect  of  a 
surprise  and  an  ambush. 

Most  of  the  Superior's  guns  having  now  arrived,  the  enemy 
raised  the  blockade  on  the  6th  of  June.  Two  days  later  the 
last  of  the  guns  actually  reached  Sackett's  Harbour.  The  fri- 
gate which  had  been  laid  down  on  the  blocks  of  the  Superior, 
was  launched  on  the  11th  of  June,  having  been  put  into  the 
water  jn  34  working  days,  from  the  time  her  keel  was  laid. 
She  was  called  the  Mohawk.  Still  the  squadron  was  500  men 
short  of  its  complements,  though  the  crew  of  the  Congress  38, 
which  was  undergoing  extensive  repairs,  at  Portsmouth,  N. 
H.,  had  been  ordered  to  this  service.  About  the  middle  of  the 
month,  the  latter  began  to  arrive.  The  enemy  also  continued 
to  reinforce  both  his  army  and  his  marine,  200  boats  at  a  time 
having  been  observed  passing  up  the  St.  Lawrence. 


1814.1 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


401 


lemy 
the 
fri- 

rior, 
the 

aid. 

men 
38, 
N. 
the 

ued 

ime 


About  the  middle  of  the  month,  Commodore  Chauncey  sent 
Acting  Lieutenant  Gregory,  with  three  gigs,  into  the  St.  Law- 
rence,  where  the  enemy  had  a  line  of  gun-boats,  to  cover  the 
passage  of  his  supplies  and  reinforcements,  with  directions  to 
surprise  some  of  his  boats  loaded  with  stores,  and,  if  possible, 
to  destroy  them.  For  this  purpose  Mr.  Gregory  lay  in  am- 
bush on  one  of  the  islands,  but  was  discovered  by  the  look-outs 
of  the  enemy,  who  immediately  despatched  a  gun-boat  in  chase. 
Instead  of  retiring  before  this  force,  Mr.  Gregory  determined 
to  become  the  assailant,  and  he  dashed  at  the  gun-boat,  car- 
rying her  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  This  vessel  ha,d  an 
eighteen-pound  carronade,  and  a  crew  of  18  men.  While  pro- 
ceeding up  the  river  with  his  prize,  Mr.  Gregory  was  chased 
by  a  much  larger  boat,  mounting  2  guns,  and  pulling  a  great 
number  of  oars,  which  compelled  him  to  scuttle  and  abandon 
her.  On  this  occasion  Mr.  Gregory  was  accompanied  by 
Messrs.  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  two  gallant  mariners  of  the  lake, 
and  he  brought  in  nearly  as  many  prisoners  as  he  had  men. 

Ten  days  later,  Mr.  Gregory  was  sent  with  two  gigs,  ac- 
companied as  before  by  Messrs.  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  to  Ni- 
cholas Island,  near  Presque  Isle,  where  the  enemy  had  a 
cruiser,  intended  to  mount  14  guns,  nearly  ready  to  launch, 
and  to  endeavour  to  destroy  her.  This  duty,  after  running 
much  risk,  and  suffering  greatly  from  hunger,  was  effectually 
performed  by  the  party,  which  was  absent  near  a  week.  The 
day  after  his  return  from  this  expedition,  Mr.  Gregory  received 
the  commission  of  a  lieutenant,  which  had  been  conferred  on 
him  for  the  handsome  manner  in  which  he  had  captured  the 
gun-boat. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  31st  of  July,  Commodore  Chauncey, 
who  had  been  very  ill,  was  carried  on  board  the  Superior,  and 
the  American  squadron  sailed.  Its  force  consisted  of  the  Su- 
perior 62,  Lieutenant  Elton,  Commodore  Chauncey ;  Mohawk 
42,  Captain  Jones;  Pike  28,  Captain  Crane;  Madison  24, 
Captain  Trenchai'd  ;  Jefferson  22,  Captain  Ridgely ;  Jones  22, 
Captain  Woolsey ;  Sylph  14,  Captain  Elliott ;  Oneida  14,  Lieu- 
tenant Commandant  Brown,  and  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  look- 
out vessel.  There  is  no  question  that  this  force,  which,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Oneida,  was  composed  of  efliicicnt  vessels, 
was  superior  to  that  of  the  English,  who  were  striving  to  regain 
the  ascendency,  by  constructing,  as  fast  as  possible,  the  two- 
decker  already  mentioned. 

Commodore  Chauncey,  whose  health  rapidly  improved  in 
34* 


?-f«w7J----«3i'c>.f*^*t.«fva»,»';g|B^- 


"mmmmm 


^mmmmmmmmmmimmm 


402 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1814. 


the  pure  air  of  the  lake,  appeared  off  the  Niagara,  now  by  the 
vicissitudes  of  war  again  in  the  possession  of  the  EngUsh,  on 
the  5th  of  August.  As  the  American  vessels  approached^  they 
intercepted  one  of  the  English  brigs,  which  was  convoying 
troops  from  York  to  Niagara,  and  she  was  chased  ashore  about 
two  leagues  to  the  westward  of  Fort  George. 

Commodore  Chauncey  left  the  Jefierson,  Sylph,  and  Oneida 
to  watch  two  brigs  of  the  enemy,  who  were  then  lying  in  the 
Niagara,  and  went  off  Kingston,  where  he  arrived  on  the  9th. 
One  of  the  English  ships  was  in  the  ofling,  and  was  chased 
into  port  by  the  American  squadron.  The  next  day,  the  Jones, 
Captain  Woolsey,  was  sent  to  cruise  between  Oswego  and  the 
Harbour ;  and  the  Conquest,  Lieutenant  Reid,  one  of  the  best 
of  the  schooners,  which  had  been  kept  armed  for  any  light  ser- 
vice that  might  offer,  was  employed  on  the  same  duty,  the 
enemy  having  intercepted  some  flour  that  was  passing,  by 
means  of  boats. 

From  this  time,  until  the  month  of  October,  Commodore 
Chauncey  continued  a  close  blockade  of  Sir  James  Yeo,  in 
Kingston,  having  undisputed  command  of  the  entire  lake. 
With  a  view  to  tempt  the  English  to  come  out,  he  kept  only 
four  vessels  in  the  offing,  and  as  the  enemy  had  an  equal 
number,  it  was  thought  the  provocation  might  induce  him  to 
risk  a  battle.  Some  guns  were  also  sent  ashore,  with  a  view 
to  bring  the  vessels  as  near  as  possible  to  an  equality.  The 
American  ships  were  the  Superior  58,*  Mohawk  42,  Pike  28, 
And  Madison  24 ;  the  British,  the  Prince  Regent  58,  Princess 
Charlotte  42,  Wolfe  25,  and  Niagara,  24.  There  was  also  a 
large  schooner  at  Kingston,  and  several  gun-boats  and  smaller 
vessels.  It  is  probable  that  there  was  a  trifling  superiority  on 
Ihe  part  of  the  Americans,  notwithstanding;  for  in  a  conflict 
between  vessels  of  so  much  force,  the  smaller  craft  could  be 
of  no  great  moment ;  but  it  was  such  a  superiority  as  the  enemy 
had  long  been  accustomed  to  disregard  ;  and  the  result  showed 
that  the  American  marine  commanded  his  respect  to  a  degree 
which  rendered  the  minutest  calculations  of  force  necessary. 

On  the  20th  of  August,  the  blockading  ships  were  driven  off 
by  a  gale;  and  on  regaining  their  station  on  the  25th,  the 
enemy  could  not  be  seen  in  port.  Lieutenant  Gregory,  with 
Mr.  Hart,  a  midshipman,  was  immediately  sent  in,  in  a  gig,  to 
reconnoitre.     While  on  this  duty,  Mr.  Gregory  landed  to  set 

*  Four  guns  having  been  landed 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


403 


m 


fire  to  a  raft  of  picket-timber  that  ho  accidentally  passed.  This 
deviation  from  the  direct  route,  brought  the  gig  so  near  in-shore, 
that  two  barges  of  the  enemy,  carrying  30  men,  were  enabled 
to  head  it,  as  it  doubled  a  point.  A  chase,  and  a  sharp  iire  of 
musketry  ensued,  Mr.  Gregory  persevering  in  his  attempt  to 
escape,  until  Mr.  Hart  was  killed,  and  five  men  out  of  eight 
were  wounded,  when  this  enterprising  officer  was  obliged  to 
surrender. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  the  wind  came  from  the  north- 
ward, when  Commodore  Clmunccy  stood  in  towards  Kingston, 
and  brought-to,  just  without  the  drop  of  the  shot  from  the  bat- 
teries ;  and  the  ships  hoisted  their  ensigns,  as  a  challenge  for 
the  enemy  to  come  out.  The  English  sprung  their  broadsides 
to  bear,  set  their  colours,  but  did  not  accept  the  defiance.  It 
was  now  seen  that  the  two-decker  was  launched,  and  she  was 
ascertained  to  be  very  large.  After  remaining  close  in,  for  a 
considerable  time,  the  American  ships'  filled  and  gained  an 
offing. 

The  next  day  it  came  on  to  blow,  and  the  squadron  was 
compelled  to  make  an  offing.  The  gale  lasted  until  the  15th, 
when  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  joined,  to  say  that  General  liard 
had  reached  the  Harbour.  The  ships  now  went  in,  for  the 
first  time,  since  the  2d  of  August,  having  kept  the  lake  45 
days;  much  of  tho  time  under  canvass.  On  the  16th,  the 
look-out  vessel  was  sent  to  order  in  the  different  brigs. 

The  division  of  General  Izard  was  landed  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Genesee,  on  tlie  22d.  As  soon  as  this  duty  was  performed, 
Commodore  Chauncey  went  off  Kingston  again,  where  he  ap- 
peared on  the  28th.  Two  of  the  enemy's  ships  were  coming 
out  under  a  press  of  sail,  but  were  driven  back.  The  29th, 
the  wind  being  fair,  the  squadron  looked  into  Kingston  again, 
and  the  Lady  was  sent  close  in,  when  it  was  found  that  the 
largs  ship,  which  had  been  called  the  St.  Lawrence,  was  com- 
pletely rigged,  but  had  no  sails  bent.  As  this  vessel  was 
pierced  for  112  guns,  and  was  intended  for  metal  in  propor- 
tion, she  was  more  than  equal  to  meeting  the  whole  American 
force.  On  the  5th  of  October,  the  Sylph  looked  in  again,  and 
found  her  sails  bent  and  topgallant-yards  crossed,  when  Com- 
modore Chauncey  ran  over  to  the  Harbour,  where  he  anchored 
on  the  7th,  and  prepared  to  receive  an  attack. 

Sir  James  Yeo  sailed  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  with  four  other 
ships,  two  brigs,  and  a  schooner,  on  the  15th  of  October,  and 
he  continued  in  command  of  the  lake  for  the  remainder  of  the 


1^ 


'"^f' 


mffrnf^""^ 


fmtmmmmmrmfim' 


MIIH  in,ip,|i 


404 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1814. 


season.  He  is  said  to  have  had  more  than  1100  men  in  his 
flag<ship  ;  and  it  was  understood  that  the  enemy  had  become 
so  wary,  that  a  captain  was  stationed  on  each  deck.  Other 
duty  probably  occupied  him,  for  no  attempt  was  made  on  the 
Harbour,  nor  did  the  enemy  even  blockade  it ;  the  necessities 
of  the  Niagara  frontier  calling  his  attention  in  that  quarter. 
At  the  end  of  the  month  of  November,  the  navigation  closed. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 


In  the  autumn  of  1814,  the  enemy  contemplated  an  inva- 
sion of  the  norllioi'n  and  least  populous  counties  of  New  York, 
with  a  large  force,  following  the  route  laid  down  for  General 
Burgoyne,  in  his  unfortunate  expedition  of  1777.  It  was  most 
probably  intended  to  occupy  a  portion  of  the  northern  frontier, 
with  the  expectation  of  turning  the  circumstance  to  account 
in  the  pending  negotiations,  the  English  commissioners  soon 
after  advancing  a  claim  to  drive  the  Americans  back  from 
their  ancient  boundaries,  with  a  view  to  leave  Great  Britain 
the  entire  possession  of  the  lakes.  In  such  an  expedition,  the 
command  of  Champlain  became  of  great  importance,  as  it 
flanked  the  march  of  the  invading  army  for  more  than  a  hun- 
dred miles,  and  offered  so  many  faciiiiics  for  forwarding  sup- 
plies, as  well  as  for  annoyance  and  defence.  Until  this  sea- 
son, neither  nation  had  a  force  of  any  moment  on  that  water, 
but  the  Americans  had  built  a  ship  and  a  schooner,  during  the 
winter  and  spring ;  and  when  it  was  found  that  the  enemy 
was  preparing  for  a  serious  effort,  the  keel  of  a  brig  was  laid. 
Many  galleys,  or  gun-boats,  were  also  constructed. 

The  American  squadron  lay  in  Otter  Creek,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  season ;  and  near  .he  middle  of  May,  as 
the  vessels  then  launched  were  about  to  quit  port,  the  enemy 
appeared  off  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  with  a  force  consisting 
of  the  Linnet  brig,  and  eight  or  ten  galleys,  under  the  orders 
of  Captain  Pring,  with  a  view  to  fill  the  channel.  For  this 
purpose  two  sloops  loaded  with  stones  were  in  company,  A 
small  work  had  been  thrown  up  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek 
some  timo  previously,  by  Captain  Thornton  of  the  artillery, 


[1814. 


3^ 


?  > 


1814.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


405 


and  liieutenant  Cassin  was  despatched  with  a  party  of  sea- 
men, to  aid  that  officer  in  defending  the  pass.  After  a  can- 
nonading of  sontie  duration,  the  enemy  retired  without  effecting 
his  object,  and  the  vessels  got  out.  In  this  affair,  no  one  was 
hurt  oif  the  side  of  the  Americans,  although  shells  were  thrown 
from  one  of  the  galleys. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  English  were  not  idle.  In  addition 
to  the  small  vessels  they  had  possessed  the  previous  year,  they 
had  built  the  brig  just  mentioned,  or  the  Linnet,  and  as  soon 
as  the  last  American  vessel  was  in  frame,  they  laid  the  keel 
of  a  ship.  By  constructing  the  latter,  a  great  advantage  was 
secured,  care  being  taken,  as  a  matter  of  course,  to  make  her 
of  a  size  sufficient  to  be  certain  of  possessing  the  greatest 
force.  The  American  brig,  which  was  called  the  Biagle,  was 
launched  about  the  middle  of  August;  and  the  English  ship, 
which  was  named  the  Confiance,  on  the  25th  of  the  same 
month.  As  the  English  army  was  already  collecting  on  the 
frontier,  the  utmost  exertions  were  made  by  both  sides,  and 
each  appeared  on  the  lake  as  he  got  ready.  Captain  M'Do- 
nough,  who  still  commanded  the  American  force,  was  enabled 
to  get  out  a  few  days  before  his  adversary ;  and  cruising  being 
almost  out  of  the  question  on  this  long  and  narrow  body  of 
water,  he  advanced  as  far  as  Plattsburg,  the  point  selected  for 
the  defence,  and  anchored,  the  3d  of  September,  on  the  flank 
of  the  troops  which  occupied  the  entrenchments  at  that  place. 

About  this  time,  Sir  George  Prevost,  the  English  commander- 
in-chief,  advanced  against  Plattsburg,  then  held  by  Brigadier 
General  Macomb  at  the  head  of  only  1500  effectives,  with  a 
force  that  probably  amounted  to  12,000  men.  A  good  deal 
of  skirmishing  ensued;  and  from  the  7th  to  the  11th,  the  ene- 
my was  employed  in  bringing  up  his  battering  train,  stores, 
and  reinforcements.  Captain  Downie,  late  of  the  Montreal, 
on  Lake  Ontario,  had  been  sent  by  Sir  J^mes  Yeo,  to  com- 
mand on  this  lake. 

On  the  6th,  Captain  M'Donough  ordered  the  galleys  to  the 
head  of  the  bay,  to  annoy  the  English  army,  and  a  cannon- 
ading occurred  which  lasted  two  hours.  The  wind  coming  on 
to  blow  a  gale  that  menaced  the  galleys  with  shipwreck,  Mr. 
Duncan,  a  midshipman  of  the  Saratoga,  was  sent  in  a  gig  to 
order  them  to  retire.  It  is  supposed  that  the  appearance  of  the 
boat  induced  the  enemy  to  think  that  Captain  M'Donough  him- 
self had  joined  his  galleys ;  for  he  concentrated  a  fire  on  the 
galley  Mr.  Duncan  was  in,  and  that  young  officer  received  a 


406 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[\oU. 


severe  wound,  by  which  he  lost  the  use  of  his  arm.  After- 
wards one  of  the  galleys  drilled  in,  under  the  guns  of  the 
enemy,  and  she  also  sustamud  some  loss,  but  was  eventually 
brought  ofl'. 

Captain  M'Donough  had  chosen  an  anchorage  a  little  to  the 
south  of  the  outlet  of  the  Saranac.  His  vessels  lay  in  a  line 
parallel  to  the  coast,  extending  north  and  south,  and  distant 
from  the  western  shore  near  two  miles.  The  last  vessel  at  the 
southward  was  so  near  the  shoal,  as  to  prevent  the  English 
from  passing  that  end  of  the  line,  while  all  the  ships  lay  so  far 
out  towards  Cumberland  Head,  as  to  bring  the  enemy  w'thin 
reach  of  carronades,  should  he  enter  the  bay  on  that  side. 
The  Eagle,  Captain  Henley,  lay  at  the  northern  extremity  of 
the  American  line,  and  what  might,  during  the  battle,  have 
been  called  its  head,  the  wind  being  at  the  northward  and 
eastward ;  the  Saratoga,  Captain  M'Donough's  own  vessel, 
was  second  ;  the  Ticondcroga,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Cassin, 
third  ;  and  the  Preble,  Lieutenant  Charles  Budd,  last.  The 
Preble  lay  a  little  farther  south  than  the  pitch  of  Cumberland 
Head.  The  first  of  these  vessels  just  mentioned  was  a  brig  of 
20  guns,  and  150  men,  all  told ;  the  second  a  ship  of  26  guns, 
and  212  men ;  the  third  a  schooner  of  17  guns  and  110  men ; 
the  last  a  sloop,  or  cutter,  of  7  guns  and  30  men.  The  metal 
of  all  these  vessels,  as  well  as  those  of  the  enemy,  was  unusu- 
ally heavy,  there  being  no  swell  in  the  lake  to  render  it  dan- 
gerous. The  Saratoga  mounted  8  long  twenty-fours,  6  forty- 
two,  and  12  thirty-two-pound  carronades ;  the  Eagle,  8  long 
eighteens,  and  12  thirty -two-pound  carronades;  the  Ticondcr- 
oga, 4  long  eighteens,  8  long  twelves,  and  4  thirty-two-pound 
carronades,  and  one  eighteen-pound  columbiad ;  the  Preble,  7 
long  nines.  In  addition  to  these  four  vessels,  the  Americans 
had  10  galleys,  or  gun-boats,  six  large  and  four  small.  Each 
of  the  former  mounted  a  long  twenty-four,  and  an  eighteen 
pound  columbiad ;  each  of  the  latter  one  long  twelve.  The 
galleys,  on  an  average,  had  about  35  men  each.  The  total 
force  of  the  Americans  present  consisted,  consequently,  of  14 
vessels,  mounting  86  guns,  and  containing  about  850  men,  in- 
cluding officers  and  a  small  detachment  of  soldiers,  who  did 
duty  as  marines,  none  of  the  corps  having  been  sent  on  Lake 
Champlain.  To  complete  his  order  of  battle.  Captain  M'Do- 
nough directed  two  of  the  galleys  to  keep  in-shore  of  the  Eagle, 
and  a  little  to  windward  of  her,  to  sustain  the  head  of  the  line  j 
one  or  two  more  to  lie  opposite  to  the  interval  between  the 


I 


[loM. 


1614.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


407 


10 


Eagle  and  Saratoga  ;  a  few  opposite  to  the  interval  between  the 
Saratoga  and  Ticonderoga  ;  and  two  or  three  opposite  the  in- 
terval between  the  Ticonderoga  and  Preble. 

The  Americans  were,  consequently,  formed  in  two  lines, 
distant  from  each  other  about  40  yards  ;  the  large  vessels  at 
anchor,  and  the  galleys  under  their  sweeps. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  was  materially  greater  than  that  of  the 
Americans.  His  largest  vessel,  the  Confiancc,  commanded  by 
Captain  Downie  in  person,  had  the  gun-deck  of  a  heavy  fri- 
gate, mounting  on  it  an  armament  similar  to  that  of  the  Con- 
stitution or  United  States,  or  30  long  twenty-fours.  She  had 
no  spar-deck,  but  there  was  a  spacious  top-gallant  forecastle, 
and  a  poop  that  came  no  farther  forward  than  the  mizzen-mast. 
On  the  first  were  a  long  twenty-four  on  a  circle,  and  4  heavy 
carronadcs  ;  and  on  the  last  2  heavy  carronadcs,  making  an 
armament  of  37  guns  in  all.  Her  complement  of  men  is  sup- 
">osed  to  have  been  considerably  more  than  300.  The  next 
iressel  of  the  enemy  was  the  Linnet,  Captain  Pring,  a  brig  of 
16  long  twelves,  with  a  crew  of  from  80  to  100  men.  There 
were  two  sloops,  the  Chubb,  Lieutenant  M'Ghee,  and  the  Finch, 
Lieutenant  Hicks,  the  former  carrying  10  eighteen-pound  car- 
ronadcs, and  1  long  six,  and  the  latter  6  eighteen-pound  car- 
ronadcs, 1  eighteen-pound  columbiad,  and  4  long  sixes.  Each 
of  these  sloops  had  about  40  men.  To  these  four  vessels  were 
added  a  force  in  galleys,  or  gun-boats,  which  Sir  George  Pro- 
vost, in  his  published  accounts,  states  at  twelve  in  number,  and 
Captain  M'Donough  at  thirteen.  These  vessels  were  similarly 
constructed  to  the  American  galleys,  eight  mounting  two,  and 
the  remainder  but  one  gun  each.  Thus  the  whole  force  of 
Captain  Downie  consisted  of  sixteen  or  seventeen  vessels,  as 
the  case  may  have  been,  mounting  in  all,  95  or  96  guns,  and 
carrying  about  1000  men. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  the  British  gun-boats  sailed  from 
Isle  aux  Noix,  under  the  orders  of  Captain  Pring,  to  cover  the 
left  flank  of  their  army.  On  the  4th  that  officer  took  posses- 
sion of  Isle  ou  Motte,  whore  he  constructed  a  battery,  and 
landed  some  supplies  for  the  troops.  On  the  8th,  the  four 
larger  vessels  arrived  under  Captain  Downie,  but  remained  at 
anchor  until  the  11th,  waiting  to  receive  some  necessaries. 
At  daylight,  on  the  morning  just  mentioned,  the  whole  force 
weighed,  and  moved  forward  in  a  body. 

The  guard-boat  of  the  Americans  pulled  in  shortly  after  the 
sun  had  risen,  and  announced  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  As 


408 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


the  wind  was  fair,  a  good  working  breczo  at  the  northward 
and  eastward,  Captain  M'Donough  ordered  the  vessels  cleared, 
and  nrcparutions  made  to  fight  at  anchor.  Eight  bells  were 
striking  in  the  American  squadron,  as  tho  upper  sails  of  the 
English  vessels  were  seen  passing  along  the  land,  in  the  main 
lake,  on  their  way  to  double  Cumberlond  Head.  The  enemy 
had  the  wind  rather  on  his  larboard  quarter.  The  Finch  led, 
succeeded  by  the  Coniiancc,  Linnet,  and  Chubb ;  while  the  gun- 
boats, all  of  which,  as  well  as  those  of  the  Americans,  had  two 
latine  sails,  followed  without  much  order,  keeping  just  clear  of 
the  shore. 

The  first  vessel  that  came  round  the  Head  was  a  sloop, 
which  is  said  to  have  carried  a  company  of  amateurs,  and 
which  took  no  part  in  the  engagement.  She  kept  well  to  lee- 
ward, stood  down  towards  Crab  Island,  and  was  soon  un- 
observed. The  Finch  came  next,  and  soon  aiVr  the  other 
large  vessels  of  the  enemy  opened  from  behind  iht  land,  and 
hauled  up  to  the  wind  in  a  line  abreast,  lying-to  until  their 
galleys  could  join.  The  latter  passed  to  leeward,  and  formed 
in  the  same  manner  as  their  consorts.  The  two  squadrons 
were  now  in  plain  view  of  each  other,  distant  about  a  league. 
As  soon  as  the  gun-boats  were  in  their  stations,  and  the  dif- 
ferent commanders  had  received  their  orders,  the  English 
filled,  with  their  starboard  tacks  aboprd.  and  headed  in  towards 
the  American  vessels,  in  a  line  abi  r  st,  the  Chubb  to  wind- 
word,  and  the  Finch  to  leeward,  most  of  the  gun-boats,  how- 
ever, being  to  leeward  of  the  latter.  The  movements  of  the 
Finch  had  been  a  little  singular  ever  since  she  led  round  the 
Head,  for  she  is  said  not  to  have  hove-io,  but  to  have  run  ofT, 
half-way  to  Crab  Island  with  the  wind  abeam,  then  to  have 
tacked  and  got  into  her  station,  afler  the  other  vessels  had 
filled.  This  movement  was  probably  intended  to  reconnoitre, 
or  to  menace  the  rear  of  the  Americans.  The  enemy  was  now 
standing  in,  close-hauled,  the  Chubb  looking  well  to  windward 
of  the  Eagle,  the  vessel  that  lay  at  the  head  of  the  American 
line,  the  Linnet  laying  her  course  for  the  bows  of  the  same 
brig,  the  Confiance  intending  to  fetch  far  enough  ahead  of  the 
Saratoga  to  lay  that  ship  athwart  hav  ^e,  and  the  Finch,  with 
the  gun-boats,  standing  for  the  Ticondcroga  and  Preble. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  the  Arasricans  were  anchored  with 
springs.  But  not  content  with  tl  is  customary  arrangement. 
Captain  M'Donough  had  laid  a  kedge  broad  off  on  each  bow 
of  the  Saratoga,  and  brought  their  hawsers  in,  upon  the  two 


1814.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


409 


bow 
two 


quartors,  lotting  thorn  hnng  in  bights,  under  wator.    Tiiis 
tinioly  precaution  gained  the  victory. 

As  tho  cnomy  filled,  the  American  vessels  sprung  their 
broadsides  to  bear,  and  a  fow  minutes  were  passed  in  the  so- 
lemn and  silent  expectation,  that,  in  a  disciplined  ship,  precedes 
a  battle.  Suddenly  the  Euglo  discharged,  in  quick  succession, 
licr  four  long  oighteons.  in  clearing  the  decks  of  the  Sara< 
toga,  some  hen-coops  were  thrown  overboard,  and  the  poultry  ' 
had  boon  permitted  to  run  at  large.  Startled  by  the  reports 
of  tho  guns,  a  young  cock  flew  upon  a  gun-slido,  clapped  his 
wings  and  crowed.  At  this  animating  sound,  the  men  spon* 
tancously  gave  three  cheers.  This  little  occurrence  relieved, 
the  usual  breathing  time  b'^twccn  preparation  and  the  combat, 
and  it  had  a  powerful  influence  on  tho  known  tendencies  of  the 
seamen.  Still  Captain  M'Donough  did  not  give  the  order  to 
commence,  although  the  enemy's  galleys  now  opened ;  for  it 
was  apparent  that  the  fire  of  the  Eagle,  which  vessel  continued 
to  engage,  was  useless.  As  soon,  however,  as  it  was  seen 
that  her  shot  told,  Captain  M^Donough,  himself,  sighted  a  long 
twenty-four,  and  tho  gun  was  fired.  This  shot  is  said  to  have 
struck  the  Confiance  near  the  outer  hawse-hole,  and  to  havo 
passed  the  length  of  her  deck,  killing  and  wounding  several 
men,  and  carrying  away  the  wheel.  It  was  a  signal  for  all 
tho  American  long  guns  to  open,  and  it  was  soon  seen  that  the 
English  commanding  ship,  in  particular,  was  suffering  heavily. 
Still  tho  enemy  advanced,  and  in  the  most  gallant  manner, 
confident  if  he  could  get  the  desired  position,  that  the  great 
weight  of  the  Confiance  would  at  once  decide  the  fate  of  tho 
day.  But  he  had  miscalculated  his  own  powers  of  endurance. 
The  anchors  of  the  Confiance  were  hanging  by  the  stoppers, 
in  readiness  to  be  let  go,  and  the  larboard  bower  was  soon  cut 
away,  as  well  as  a  spare  anchor  in  the  larboard  fore-chains. 
In  short,  after  tearing  the  fire  of  the  American  vessels  as  long 
as  possible,  and  the  wind  beginning  to  baffle,  Captain  Downie 
found  himself  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  anchoring  while  still 
at  the  distance  of  al)out  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  tho  American 
line.  The  helm  was  put  a-port,  the  ship  shot  into  the  wind, 
and  a  kedge  was  let  go,  while  tho  vessel  took  a  sheer,  and 
brought  up  with  her  starboard  bower.  In  doing  the  latter, 
however,  the  kedge  was  fouled  and  became  of  no  use.  In 
coming-to,  tho  halyards  were  let  run,  and  the  ship  hauled  up 
her  courses.  At  this  time  the  Linnet  and  Chubb  were  still 
standing  in,  farther  to  windward ;  and  the  former,  as  her  guns 
35 


'■amK-^^i^^^H^f^'--'- 


I'.'^MMI 


410 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1814. 


bore,  fired  a  broadside  at  the  SaiHtoga.  The  Linnet  soon  ador 
anchored,  somewhat  nearer  than  the  Confiance,  getting  a  very 
favourable  position  forward  of  the  Eagle's  beam.  The  Chubb 
kept  under  way,  intending,  if  possible,  to  rake  the  Americon 
lino.  The  Finch  got  abreast  of  the  Ticonderoga,  under  her 
sweeps,  supported  by  the  gun-boats. 

The  English  vessels  came  to  in  very  handsome  style,  nor 
did  the  Confiance  fire  a  single  gun  until  secured ;  although  the 
American  line  was  now  engaged  with  all  its  force.  As  soon 
as  Captain  Downie  had  performed  this  duty,  in  a  seaman-like 
manner,  his  ship  appeared  a  sheet  of  fire,  discharging  all  her 
guns  at  nearly  the  same  instant,  pointed  principally  at  the  Sa- 
ratoga. The  effect  of  this  broadside  was  terrible  in  the  little 
ship  that  received  it.  After  the  crash  had  subsided,  Captain 
M'Donough  saw  that  near  half  his  crew  was  on  the  deck,  for 
many  had  been  knocked  down  who  sustained  no  real  injuries. 
It  is  supposed,  however,  that  about  40  men,  or  near  one-fiflh 
of  her  complement,  were  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the 
Saratoga,  by  this  single  discharge.  The  hatches  had  been 
fastened  down,  as  usual,  but  the  bodies  so  cumbered  the  deck, 
that  it  was  found  necessary  to  remove  the  fastenings  and  to 
pass  them  below.  The  effect  continued  but  a  moment,  whea 
the  ship  resumed  her  fire  as  gallantly  as  ever.  Among  the 
slain,  was  Mr.  Peter  Gamble,  the  first  lieutenant.  By  this 
early  loss,  but  one  officer  of  that  rank,  Acting  Lieutenant  La- 
vallette,  was  left  in  the  Saratoga.  Shortly  after,  •  Captain 
Downie,  the  English  commanding  officer,  fell  also. 

On  the  part  of  the  principal  vessels,  the  battle  now  became 
a  steady,  animated,  but  as  guns  were  injured,  a  gradually  de- 
creasing cannonade.  Still  the  character  of  the  battle  was 
relieved  by  several  little  incidents  that  merit  notice.  The 
Chubb,  while  manceuvring  near  the  head  of  the  American  line, 
received  a  broadside  from  the  Eagle  that  crippled  her,  and  she 
drifted  down  between  the  opposing  vessels,  until  near  the  Sa- 
ratoga, which  ship  fired  a  shot  into  her,  and  she  immediately 
struck.  Mr.  Piatt,  one  of  the  Saratoga's  midshipmen,  was 
sent  with  a  boat  to  take  possession.  This  young  officer  threw 
the  prize  a  line,  and  towed  her  down  astern  of  the'Saratoga, 
and  in-shore,  anchoring  her  near  the  mouth  of  the  Saranac. 
This  little  success  occurred  within  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after 
the  enemy  had  anchored,  and  was  considered  a  favourable 
omen,  though  all  well  knew  that  on  the  Confiance  alone  de- 
pended the  fate  of  the  day.     The  Chubb  had  suffered  ma- 


1811.] 


MAVAL     HISTORY. 


411 


Icrially,  nearly  half  of  hor  people  having  been  killed  and 
wounded. 

About  on  hour  later,  the  Finch  was  also  driven  out  of  her 
berth,  by  the  Ticondcroga ;  and  being  crippled,  she  drifted 
down  upon  Crab  Islnnd  Shoal,  where,  receiving  a  shot  or  two 
from  the  puu  mounted  in  the  battery,  she  struck,  and  was 
taken  possession  of  by  the  invalids  belonging  to  the  hospital. 
At  this  end  of  the  lino,  the  British  galleys  early  made  several 
desperate  efforts  to  close ;  and  soon  after  the  Finch  had  drifted 
away,  they  forced  the  Preble  out  of  the  American  line,  that 
vessel  cutting  her  cable,  and  shifting  her  anchorage  to  a  sta- 
tion considerably  in-shore,  where  she  was  of  no  more  service 
throughout  the  day.  The  rear  of  the  American  line  was  cer- 
tainly its  weakest  point ;  and  having  compelled  the  little  Preblo 
to  retreat,  the  enemy's  galleys  were  emboldened  to  renew  their 
efforts  against  the  vessel  ahead  of  her,  which  was  the  Ticon- 
dcroga.  This  schooner  was  better  able  to  resist  them,  and  sho 
was  very  nobly  fought.  Her  spirited  commander,  Lieutenant 
Commandant  Cassin,  walked  the  taffrail,  where  he  could  watch 
the  movements  of  the  enemy's  galleys,  amidst  showers  of  can- 
ister and  grape,  directing  discharges  of  bags  of  miisket-balls, 
and  other  light  missiles,  effectually  keeping  the  British  at  bay. 
Several  times  the  English  galleys,  of  which  many  were  very 
gallantly  fought,  closed  quite  near,  with  an  intent  to  board ; 
but  the  great  steadiness  on  board  the  Ticonderoga  beat  them 
back,  and  completely  covered  the  rear  of  the  line  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day.  So  desperate  were  some  of  the  assaults, 
notwithstanding,  that  the  galleys  have  been  described  as  seve- 
ral times  getting  nearly  within  a  boat-hook's  length  of  the 
schooner,  and  their  people  as  rising  from  the  sweeps  in  readi- 
ness to  spring. 

While  these  reverses  and  successes  were  occurring  in  the 
rear  of  the  two  lines,  the  Americans  were  suffering  heavily  at 
the  other  extremity.  The  Linnet  had  got  a  very  commanding 
j)osition,  and  she  was  admirably  fought;  while  the  Eagle, 
which  received  all  her  fire,  and  part  of  that  of  the  Confiance, 
having  lost  her  springs,  found  herself  so  situated,  as  not  to  bo 
able  to  bring  her  guns  fairly  to  bear  on  either  of  the  enemy's 
vessels.  Captain  Henley  had  run  his  topsail-yards,  with  the 
sails  stopped,  to  the  mast-heads,  previously  to  engaging,  and 
he  now  cut  his  cable,  sheeted  home  his  topsails,  cast  the  brig, 
and  running  down,  anchored  by  the  stern,  between  the  Sara- 
toga and  Ticonderoga,  necessarily  a  little  in-shore  of  both. 


->^ 


412 


NAVAL    II  1  S  T  O  Jl  Y . 


[1814. 


Hero  ho  opened  afresh,  nnd  wifli  l)ct(cr  cflect,  on  the  Confinncc 
nnd  galleys,  using  his  Itirhoiird  guns,  lliit  this  movement  lol\ 
the  Haratogn  exposed  to  nearly  the  whole  (ire  of  the  Linnet, 
which  hrig  now  sprung  her  broadside  in  a  manner  to  ruke  the 
American  shi|)  on  lier  bows. 

Shortly  after  this  important  change  had  occurred  at  the 
head  of  the  lines,  the  fire  of  the  two  ships  began  materially  to 
lessen,  as  gun  after  gun  became  disabled ;  the  Saratoga,  in 
particular,  having  had  all  her  long  pieces  rendered  useless  by 
shot,  while  most  of  the  carronades  were  dismounted,  either  in 
the  same  maimer,  or  in  consequence  of  a  disposition  in  the 
men  to  overcharge  them.  At  length  but  a  single  carronado 
remained  in  the  starboard  batteries,  and  on  firing  it,  the  navel- 
bolt  broke,  the  gun  flew  olf  the  carriage,  and  it  actually  fell 
down  the  main  hatch.  By  this  accident,  the  American  com- 
manding vessel  was  left  in  the  middle  of  the  battle,  without  a 
single  available  gun.  Nothing  remained,  but  to  make  an  im- 
mediate attempt  to  wind  the  ship. 

The  stream  anchor  suspended  astern,  was  let  go  according- 
ly. The  men  then  clapped  on  the  "hawser  that  led  to  the  star- 
board quarter,  and  brought  the  ship's  stern  up  over  the  kcdge ; 
but  here  she  hung,  there  not  being  sufficient  wind,  or  current, 
to  force  her  bows  round.  A  lino  had  been  bent  to  a  bight  in 
the  stream  cable,  with  a  view  to  help  wind  the  ship,  and  she 
now  rode  by  the  kedgo  and  this  line,  with  her  stern  under  the 
raking  broadside  of  the  Linnet,  which  brig  kept  up  a  steady 
and  well-direct(Hl  fire.  The  larboard  batteries  having  been 
manned  and  got  ready,  Captain  M'Donough  ordered  all  the 
men  from  the  guns,  whorc  they  were  uselessly  suflering,  telling 
them  to  go  forward.  By  rowsing  on  the  line,  the  ship  was  at 
length  got  so  ftu  round,  that  the  aftermost  gun  would  tear  on  the 
Confiance,  when  it  was  instantly  manned,  and  began  to  play. 
The  next  gun  was  used  in  the  same  manner,  but  it  was  soon 
apparent  that  the  ship  could  be  got  no  farther  round,  for  she 
was  now  nearly  end-on  to  the  wind.  At  this  critical  moment, 
Mr.  Brum,  the  master,  bethought  him  of  the  hawser  that  had 
led  to  the  larboard  quarter.  It  was  got  forward  under  tho 
bows,  and  passed  aft  to  the  starboard  quarter,  when  the  ship's 
stern  was  immediately  sprung  to  the  westward,  so  as  to  bring 
all  her  larboard  guns  to  bear  on  the  English  ship,  with  fatal 
effect. 

As  soon  as  the  preparations  were  made  to  wind  the  Sara- 
toga, the  Confiance  attempted  to  perform  the  same  evolution. 


16140 


NAVAL     11  I  8  T  O  It  Y . 


413 


at 
the 


tho 


ing 


ra- 
on. 


Ilor  springs  wcro  hauled  on,  but  they  merely  forced  the  ship 
ahead,  and  having  borne  tiic  fresh  broadside  of  tho  Americans, 
until  she  had  scarcely  a  gun  with  which  to  return  the  fire,  and 
failing  in  all  her  efforts  to  get  round,  about  two  hours  and  a 
quarter  ailcr  tho  commencement  of  the  action,  her  command- 
ing odiccr  lowered  his  flag.  By  hauling  again  upon  the  star- 
board hawser,  the  Saratoga's  broadside  was  immediately  sprung 
to  boar  on  the  Linnet,  which  brig  struck  about  fifteen  minutes 
after  her  consort.  The  enemy's  galleys  had  been  driven  back, 
nearly  or  (juite  half  a  mile,  and  they  lay  irregularly  scattered, 
and  setting  to  leeward,  keeping  up  a  desultory  tiring.  As  soon 
as  they  found  that  the  largo  vessels  had  submitted,  they  ceased 
the  combat,  and  lowered  their  colours.  At  this  proud  moment, 
it  is  believed,  on  authority  entitled  to  the  highest  respect,  there 
was  not  a  single  English  ensign,  out  of  sixteen  or  seventeen, 
that  had  so  lately  been  fiying,  loll  abroad  in  tho  bay  I 

In  this  long  and  bloody  confiict,  the  Saratoga  had  28  men 
killed,  and  29  wounded,  or  more  than  a  fourth  of  all  on  board 
her;  tho  Eagle  13  killed,  and  20  wounded,  which  was  sus- 
taining a  loss  in  nearly  an  equal  proportion ;  the  Ticonderoga 
0  killed,  and  0  wounded ;  the  Preble  2  killed ;  while  on  board 
tho  10  galleys,  only  3  were  killed,  and  3  wounded.  The 
Saratoga  was  hulled  fifty-five  times,  principally  by  twenty- 
four-pound  shot ;  and  the  Euglo,  thirty-nine  times. 

According  to  the  report  of  Captain  Pring,  of  the  Linnet, 
dated  on  the  12tli  of  September,  the  Confiance  lost  41  killed, 
and  40  wounded.  It  was  admitted,  however,  that  no  good 
opportunity  had  then  existed  to  ascertain  the  casualties.  At  a 
later  day,  the  English  themselves  enumerated  her  wounded  at 
83.  This  would  make  the  total  loss  of  that  ship  124 ;  but 
even  this  number  is  supposed  to  be  materially  short  of  tho  truth. 
The  Linnet  is  reported  to  have  had  10  killed,  and  14  wounded. 
This  loss  is  also  believed  to  be  considerably  below  tho  fact. 
The  Chubb  had  6  killed,  and  1 0  wounded.  The  Finch  was 
reported  by  tho  enemy,  to  have  had  but  2  men  wounded.  No 
American  ofticial  report  of  the  casualties  in  the  English  vessels 
has  been  published ;  but  by  an  estimate  made  on  the  best  dtita 
that  could  be  found,  tho  Linnet  was  thought  to  have  lost  50 
men,  and  the  two  smaller  vessels  taken,  about  30  between 
them.  No  account  whatever  has  been  published  of  the  casual- 
ties on  board  tho  English  galleys,  though  the  slaughter  in  them 
is  believed  to  have  been  very  heavy. 

As  soon  as  tho  Linnet  struck,  a  lieutenant  was  sent  to  take 
35* 


414 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


11814. 


possession  of  the  Confinnco.  Bad  as  was  the  situation  of  the 
Saratoga,  that  of  this  prize  was  much  worse.  She  had  been 
hulled  105  times ;  liad  probably  near,  if  not  quite,  half  her 
people  killed  and  wounded ;  and  this  formidable  floating  bat- 
tery was  reduced  to  helpless  impotency. 

As  the  boarding  officer  was  passing  along  the  deck  of  tho 
prize,  he  accidentally  ran  against  a  lock-string,  and  lircd  one 
of  the  Confiancc's  starboard  guns.  Up  to  this  moment,  the 
English  galleys  had  been  slowly  drifting  to  leeward,  with  their 
colours  down,  apparently  waiting  to  be  taken  possession  of; 
but  at  the  discharge  of  this  gun,  which  may  have  been  under- 
stood as  a  signal,  one  or  two  of  them  began  to  move  slowly 
otf,  and  soon  after  tho  others  followed,  pulling  but  a  very  few 
sweeps.  It  is.  not  known  that  one  of  them  hoisted  her  ensign. 
Captain  M'Donough  made  a  signal  for  the  American  galleys 
to  follow,  but  it  was  discovered  that  their  men  were  wanted 
at  the  pumps  of  some  of  the  larger  vessels,  to  keep  them  from 
sinking,  the  water  being  found  over  the  berth-deck  of  the  Lin- 
net; and  the  signal  was  revoked.  As  there  was  not  a  mast 
that  would  bear  any  canvass  among  all  the  larger  vessels,  the 
English  galleys  escaped,  though  they  went  off  slowly  and  ir- 
regularly, as  if  distrusting  their  own  liberty. 

Captain  M'Donough  applauded  the  conduct  of  all  tho  offi- 
cers of  the  Saratoga.  Mr.  Gamble  died  at  his  post,  fighting 
bravely  ;  Mr.  Lavallctte,  the  only  lieutenant  left,  displayed  the 
cool  discretion  that  marks  the  character  of  this  highly  respect- 
able and  firm  officer ;  and  Mr.  Brum,  the  master,  who  was  en- 
trusted with  the  important  duty  of  winding  the  ship,  never  lost 
his  self-possession  for  an  instant.  Captain  Henley  praised  the 
conduct  of  his  officers,  as  did  Lieutenant  Commandant  Cassin. 
The  galleys  behaved  very  unequally ;  but  the  Borer,  Mr.  Con- 
over;*  Netley,  Mr.  Breese;f  one  under  the  orders  of  Mr. 
Robins,  a  master,  and  one  or  two  more,  were  considered  to 
have  been  very  gallantly  handled. 

There  was  a  common  feeling  of  admiration  at  the  manner 
in  which  the  Ticonderoga,  Lieutenant  Commandant  Cassin, 
defended  the  rear  of  the  line,  and  at  the  noble  conduct  of  all 
on  board  her. 

The  Saratoga  was  twice  on  fire  by  hot  shot  thrown  from 
the  Confiance,  her  spanker  having  been  nearly  consumed.  No 
battery  from  the  American  shore,  with  the  exception  of  the 


*  Now  Commander  Conover. 


t  Now  Capt.  Breese. 


J -■ 


1814.J 


NAVAL    H  1  S  T  O  11  Y  , 


415 


incr 
all 


rom 
No 

the 


gun  or  two  fired  ut  the  Finch  from  Crab  Island,  took  any  part 
in  the  naval  encounter ;  nor  could  any,  without  endangering 
the  American  vessels  equally  with  the  enemy.  Indeed  the 
distance  renders  it  questionable  whether  shot  would  havo 
reached  with  effect,  as  Captain  M'Donough  had  anchored  far 
olf  the  land,  in  order  to  compel  the  enemy  to  come  within 
range  of  his  short  guns. 

The  Americans  found  a  furnace  on  board  the  Confiance, 
with  eight  or  ten  heated  shot  in  it,  though  the  fact  is  not  stated 
with  any  view  to  attribute  it  to  the  enemy  as  a  fault.  It  was 
an  advantage  that  he  possessed,  most  probably,  in  consequence 
of  the  presence  of  a  party  of  artillerists. 

Captain  M'Donough,  who  was  already  very  favourably 
known  to  the  service  for  his  peraonal  intrepidity,  obtained  a 
vast  accession  of  reputation  by  the  results  of  this  day.  His 
dispositions  for  receiving  the  attacks,  wore  highly  judicious  and 
seaman-like.  By  the  manner  in  which  he  anchored  his  ves- 
sels, with  the  shoal  so  near  the  rear  of  his  line  as  to  cover 
that  extremity,  and  the  land  of  Cumberland  Head  so  near  his 
broadside  as  necessarily  to  bring  the  enemy  within  reach  of 
his  short  guns,  he  made  all  his  force  completely  available. 
The  English  were  not  near  enough,  perhaps,  to  give  to  carron- 
adcs  their  full  effect ;  but  this  disadvantage  was  unavoidable, 
the  assailing  party  having,  of  course,  a  choice  in  the  distance. 
All  that  could  be  obtained,  under  the  circumstances,  appears 
to  have  been  secured,  and  the  result  proved  the  wisdom  of  the 
actual  arrangement.  The  personal  deportment  of  Captain 
M'Donough  in  this  engagement,  like  that  of  Captain  Perry 
in  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie,  was  the  subject  of  general  admira- 
tion in  his  little  squadron.  His  coolness  was  undisturbed 
throughout  all  the  trying  scenes  on  board  his  own  ship,  and 
although  lying  against  a  vessel  of  double  the  force,  and  nearly 
double  the  tonnage  of  the  Saratoga,  he  met  and  resisted  her 
attack  with  a  constancy  that  seemed  to  set  defeat  at  defiance. 
The  winding  of  the  Saratoga,  under  such  circumstances,  ex- 
posed as  she  was  to  the  raking  broadsides  of  the  Confiance 
and  Linnet,  especially  the  latter,  was  a  bold,  seaman-like,  and 
masterly  measure,  that  required  unusual  decision  and  fortitude 
to  imagine  and  execute.  Most  men  would  have  believed  that, 
without  a  single  gun  on  the  side  engrged,  a  fourth  of  their  peo- 
ple cut  down,  and  their  ship  a  wreck,  enough  injury  had  been 
received  to  justify  submission ;  but  Captain  M'Donough  found 


:w"m^im^mm 


416 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


the  means  to  secure  a  victory  in  the  desperate  condition  of  his 
own  vessel. 

The  deportment  of  Lieutenant  Commandant  Cassin*  was 
also  the  subject  of  general  applause  in  the  American  squadron. 

Although  many  of  the  American  officers  were  wounded,  only 
two  that  belonged  to  the  quarterdeck  were  killed.  These  were 
Mr.  Gamble,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Saratoga,  and  Mr.  Stans- 
bury,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Ticonderoga.f  Mr.  Smith,:j:  a 
very  valuable  officer,  and  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Eagle,  re- 
ceived a  severe  wound,  but  returned  to  his  quarters  during  the 
action.  On  the  part  of  the  enemy,  besides  Captain  Downie, 
several  officers  v/ere  killed,  and  three  or  four  were  wounded. 

Captain  M'Donough,  besides  the  usual  medal  from  Congress, 
and  various  compliments  and  gifts  from  different  states  and 

*  Now  Commodore  Cassin. 

t  The  manner  in  which  Mr.  Gamble  met  his  dea'.!i,  has  been  mention- 
ed. Mr.  Stansbury  suddenly  disappeared  from  '.ne  bulwarks  forward, 
while  superintending  bome  duty  with  the  springs.  Two  days  after  the 
action,  his  body  rose  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  near  the  vessel  to  which 
he  had  belonged,  and  it  was  found  that  it  had  been  cut  in  two  by  a  round 
shot.  Both  tiiesc  gentlemen  showed  great  coolness  and  spirit,  until  they 
fell.  Many  officers  were  knocked  down  in  the  engagement,  without  having 
blood  dravm.  At  one  moment,  there  was  a  cry  in  the  Saratoga  that  Cap- 
tain M'Donough,  or  as  he  was  usually  called,  the  commodore,  was  killed. 
He  was  thrown  on  his  face,  on  the  quarter  deck,  ncaf  ly  if  not  quite  sense- 
less, and  it  was  two  or  three  minutes  before  he  came  to  his  recollection. 
He  pointed  a  favourite  gun  most  of  the  action,  and  while  standing  in  the 
middle  of  the  deck  bending  his  body  to  sight  it,  a  shot  had  cut  in  two  the 
spunker-boom,  letting  the  spar  fall  on  his  back,  a  blow  that  might  easily 
have  proved  fatal.  A  few  minutes  after  this  accident,  the  cry  that  the 
commodore  was  killed  was  heard  again.  This  time.  Captain  M'Donough 
was  lying  on  the  ofF-side  of  the  deck,  between  two  of  the  guns,  covered 
with  blood,  nnd  jgain  nearly  senseless.  A  shot  had  driven  the  head  of 
the  captain  of  his  favourite  gun  in  upon  him,  and  knocked  him  into  the 
scuppers.  Mr.  Brum  the  mailer,  a  venerable  old  seaman,  while  winding 
tiie  ship,  had  a  large  splinter  driven  so  near  his  body,  as  actually  to  strip 
off  his  clothes.  For  a  minute  he  was  thought  to  be  dead,  but,  on  gaining 
his  feet,  he  made  un  apron  of  his  pocket  handkerchief,  and  coolly  went  to 
work  again  with  the  springs !  A  few  months  later  this  veteran  died,  as  is 
thought  of  the  injury.  Mr.  Lavallette  had  a  shot-box,  on  which  he  was 
standing,  knocked  from  under  his  feet,  and  he  too,  was  once  knocked 
down  by  the  head  of  a  seaman.  He  also  received  a  severe  splinter  wound, 
though  not  reported.  In  short,  very  few  escaped  altogether ;  and  in  this 
desperate  fight,  it  appears  to  have  been  agreed  on  both  aides,  to  call  no  man 
wounded  who  could  keep  out  of  the  hospital.  Many  who  were  not  in- 
cluded among  the  wounded,  feel  the  effects  of  their  hurts  to  this  day.  It 
is  said,  that  scarcely  an  individual  escaped  on  board  of  either  the  Confiance 
or  Saratoga,  without  some  injury. 

t  Now  Captain  Smith. 


1814.] 


NAVx\L     HISTORY 


417 


towns,  was  promoted  for  his  services.  Captain  Henley  also 
received  a  medal.  The  legislature  of  Veimont  presented  the' 
former  with  a  small  estate  on  Cumberland  Head,  which  over- 
looked the  scene  of  his  triumph.  The  officers  and  crews  met 
with  the  customary  acknowledgments,  and  the  country  ge- 
nerally placed  the  victory  by  the  side  of  that  of  Lake  Erie.  In 
the  navy,  which  is  better  qualified  to  enter  into  just  estim  'es 
of  force,  and  all  the  other  circumstances  that  enhance  the  n.e- 
rits  of  nautical  exploits,  the  battle  of  Plattsburg  Bay  is  justly 
ranked  among  the  very  highest  of  its  claims  to  glory. 

The  consequences  of  this  victory  were  immediate  and  im- 
portant. During  the  action.  Sir  George  Prevost  had  skir- 
mished sharply  in  front  of  the  American  works,  and  was  busy 
in  making  demonstrations  for  a  more  serious  attack.  As  soon, 
however,  as  the  fate  of  the  British  squadron  was  ascertained, 
he  made  a  precipitate  and  unmilitary  retreat,  abandoning  much 
of  his  heavy  artillery,  stores,  and  supplies,  and  from  that  mo- 
ment to  the  end  of  the  war,  the  northern  frontier  was  cleared 
of  the  enemy. 


CHAPTER  XLVn. 


After  the  success  of  Captain  Perry  on  Lake  Erie,  the  En- 
glish made  no  serious  effort  to  recover  the  as  >ndency  on  the 
upper  waters.  During  the  winter  of  1813-1  A,  they  are  be- 
lieved to  have  contemplated  an  attempt  against  a  portion  of  the 
American  vessels,  which  were  lying  in  Put-in  Bay,  but  the  en- 
terprise was  abandoned.  When  Commodore  Sinclair  hoisted 
his  pennant,  as  commander  on  this  station,  an  expedition  sailed 
against  Michilimackiiiac,  which  was  repulsed.  He  made  some 
captures  of  vessels  belonging  to  the  Northwest  Company,  blew 
up  a  block-house  in  the  Nautauwassauga,  and  compelled  the 
enemy  to  destroy  a  schooner,  called  the  Nancy,  commanded 
l>\  Lieutenant  Worsley. 

While  these  movements  were  in  the  course  of  occurrence  on 
Lakes  Superior  and  Huron,  several  of  the  small  vessels  were 
kept  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Erie,  to  co-operate  with  the  army  then 
besieged  in  the  fort  of  the  same  name.    On  the  night  of  the 


41S 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1814. 


I 


12th  of  August,  the  Somcrs,  Ohio,  nnd  Porcupine,  all  of  which 
wore  under  Lieutcnnnt  Conklin,  were  nnchoreil  just  ut  the  out- 
let of  the  luke,  to  cover  the  left  flunk  of  the  Arnericun  workw. 
The  enemy  broujjht  up  n  party  of  scunien  from  below,  with  a 
view  to  cut  them  oil",  and  about  midnight  ho  made  an  attack, 
under  Captain  Dobbs,  in  six  or  eight  bouts,  most  of  which  wcro 
large  batteuux.  The  Ohio  and  Soiners  v/ero  surprised,  the 
lust  being  captured  without  any  resistance,  but  the  Porcupine 
taking  the  alarm,  easily  eflected  her  cscnpc.  The  enemy 
drilled  down  the  rapids  with  their  two  prizes,  and  secured  them 
below. 

In  this  sudden  and  handsome  alluir,  the  Americans  had  1 
man  killed  and  10  wounded.  The  enemy  lost  about  the  same 
number,  by  the  resistance  on  I  jard  the  Ohio,  among  whom 
was  Lieutenant  Uadclille,  of  the  Nctley,  slain.  The  Porcu- 
pine had  no  part  in  the  action.  This  surprise  was  the  result 
of  excess  of  confidence,  it  being  thought  that  the  enemy  had 
no  force  on  liuke  Erie  with  which  to  make  such  nn  attack. 
The  manner  in  which  the  men  and  boats  were  brought  ut  from 
Luke  Ontario,  for  this  purpose,  and  the  neatness  with  which 
the  enterprise  was  executed,  reflected  great  credit  on  the 
enemy. 

Nor  was  this  the  only  successful  attempt  of  the  same  nature, 
made  by  the  English  on  the  upper  lakes,  during  this  season. 
Lieutenant  Worsley,  the  ofliccr  who  commanded  the  schooner 
destroyed  by  Commodore  Sinclair,  had  escaped  with  all  his 
men,  and  obtaining  a  party  of  soldiers  from  Michilimackinac, 
and  a  strong  body  of  Indians,  ho  planned  a  surprise  upon  the 
Tigress  and  Scorpion,  two  schooners  that  had  been  lefl  in 
Lake  Huron  after  the  repulse  on  the  post  just  mentioned.  The 
Tigress  mounted  a  twenty-four,  had  a  crew  of  28  men,  officers 
included,  and  was  commanded  by  Mr.  Champlin.  She  was 
lying  at  St.  Joseph's,  on  the  night  of  the  3d  of  September, 
when  Mr.  Worsley  made  his  attack  in  five  largo  boats,  one  of 
which  mounted  a  six,  and  another  a  three-pounder,  accompa- 
nied by  nineteen  canoes,  containing  more  than  200  men.  The 
night  was  so  dark  that  the  enemy  got  very  near  before  they 
were  discovered,  but  Mr.  Champlin*  and  his  officers  made  a 
very  gallant  resistance.  The  schoooner  was  not  captured 
until  all  her  officers  had  been  shot  down.  The  guns  of  the 
enemy  were  transferred  to  the  Tigress,  and  while  she  still  con- 

*  Now  Commander  Champlin, 


1814.] 


N 


AL    HISTORY 


419 


3r, 


tinued  in  her  berth,  the  evening  of  the  next  tjny,  the  Scorpion, 
Lieutenant  Turner,  which  had  been  cruising,  came  in  and  an- 
chored about  five  miles  from  her.  Neitlier  vessel  had  sig- 
nals, and  there  was  no  attempt  to  communicate  that  night. 
The  next  morning,  at  daylight,  the  Tigress  was  seen  standing 
down  towards  the  Scorpion,  with  American  colours  flying,  and 
there  not  being  the  slightest  apparent  motive  to  suspect  her 
change  of  character,  she  was  jKirmittted  to  come  alongside^ 
when  she  fi:cd  all  her  guns,  ran  the  Scorpion  aboard,  and 
carried  her  without  difficulty.  This  surprise  was  wholly 
attributed  to  the  want  of  signals,  and  Mr.  Turner  was  honour- 
ably acquitted  for  the  loss  of  his  vessels.  In  carrying  the 
Tigress,  the  enemy  had  a  lieutenant  and  2  men  killed,  and  7 
men  wounded.  On  board  the  Tigress  3  men  were  killed,  and 
all  the  officers  and  3  seamen  were  wounded.  The  Scorpion, 
being  surprised,  made  but  a  trifling  resistance. 

These  little  captures,  which  were  very  creditable  to  the 
enterprise  of  the  enemy,  terminated  the  war  on  the  upper  lakes, 
the  vessels  being  shortly  after  laid  up.  During  the  winter  of 
1814-15  both  belligerents  were  building,  the  enemy  having 
laid  down  a  second  two-decker  at  Kingston,  while  the  Ameri- 
cans prepared  to  build  two  at  the  Harbour.  Mr.  Eckford 
engaged  to  put  into  the  water  two  ships,  to  carry  102  guns 
each,  within  sixty  days  from  the  time  he  commenced,  the  tim- 
l)er  then  standing  in  the  forest.  The  order  was  given,  and 
the  work  commenced  in  January.  The  news  that  a  treaty  of 
peace  had  been  signed,  was  received  when  the  work  on  one  of 
these  v  .sscls,  called  the  New  Orleans,  had  been  commenced 
but  twenty-nine  days.  She  was  then  nearly  planked  in,  and 
it  was  thought  would  have  been  in  the  water  in  twenty-seven 
days  more.  The  second  vessel  was  but  little  behind  her,  and 
there  is  no  doubt  that  Commodore  Chauncey  would  have  taken 
the  lake,  as  soon  as  the  navigation  opened,  with  a  force  con- 
sisting of  2  sail  of  the  line,  2  frigates,  2  corvettes,  4  brigs,  and 
as  many  small  craft  as  the  service  could  possibly  have  required. 
As  the  enemy  had  received  the  frames  of  one  or  two  frigates 
from  England,  and  had  already  begun  to  set  them  up,  it  is 
probable  that  a  frigate  would  have  been  added  to  this  force, 
by  building  her  of  the  timber  found  too  small  for  the  heavier 
ships. 

The  peace  put  "  stop  to  the  strife  in  ship-building,  and  ter- 
minated the  war  on  the  lakes.  In  this  inland  contest,  while 
the  enemy  had  been  active,  bold,  and  full  of  resources,  impar- 


420 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1814. 


tial  judges  must  award  the  palm  to  the  Americans.  On  the 
upper  lakes  and  on  Champlain,  the  English  had  sought  gene- 
ral actions,  and  decisive  victories  placed  the  republic  in  nearly 
undisputed  command  of  those  waters.  The  important  results 
that  had  been  expected,  fully  rewarded  this  success.  On  Lake 
Ontario,  the  English  pursued  a  different  policy,  cautiously 
avoiding  any  conflict  that  might  prove  final,  unless  under  cir- 
cumstances that  would  ensure  victory. 

Oil  Lake  Champlain  the  enemy  captured  in  the  course  of 
the  war,  the  Eagle  and  Growler,  by  means  of  their  army. 
These  two  vessels  were  subsequently  retaken,  under  the  names 
of  the  Chubb  and  the  Finch,  and  the  whole  English  force  was 
defeated.  On  Lalie  Erie,  the  success  of  the  enemy  was  limited 
to  the  surprise  of  the  four  schooners  mentioned  in  this  chapter ; 
while  they  lost  equally  by  surprise,  the  Detroit  anJ  Caledonia, 
their  whole  squadron  ir*  action,  and  a  ochooncr  on  Lake  Huron 
blown  up.  On  Lake  Ontario,  the  success  of  the  enemy  was 
limited  to  the  capture  of  the  Julia  and  Growler,  in  the  affair 
of  the  10th  of  August,  and  the  re-capture  of  the  latter  vessel 
at  Oswego.  On  no  other  occasion,  with  the  exception  of  the 
gig  of  Mr.  Gregory,  and  one  boat  carrying  a  gun  and  two 
cables,  did  any  man,  or  thing,  belonging  to  the  navy  fall  into 
his  hands.  He  made  one  exceedingly  impotent  attack  on  the 
Harbour,  (previously  to  the  arrival  of  Commodore  Yco,)  was 
beaten  in  a  subsequent  attempt  on  the  same  place,  succeeded 
in  taking  Oswego,  and  committed  some  ravages  at  Sodus,  and 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Genesee.  For  a  few  days  he  also  co-ope- 
rated with  his  army.  On  the  part  of  the  Americans,  a  spirited 
attack  was  made  on  Kingston  in  1812  ;  York  was  twice  cap- 
tured in  1813,  as  was  Fort  George  once;  a  brig  was  brought 
off  from  York,  and  a  vessel  of  20  guns  burned  at  the  same 
place  ;  another  of  14  guns  at  Presque  Isle  ;  a  third  was  driven 
ashore,  and  blown  up,  to  the  westward  of  Niagara ;  six  gun- 
vessels  and  three  gun-boats,  and  many  smaller  craft  were  cap- 
tured ;  and,  at  different  times,  two  captains,  many  other  offi- 
cers, and  se/eral  hundred  seamen  and  marines  were  taken. 
Kingston  was  often  long  and  closely  blockaded,  and,  with  short 
and  few  exceptions,  the  Americans  had  the  command  of  the 
lake.  The  greater  age  of  the  English  frontier,  as  a  settled 
country,  gave  the  enemy  material  advantages,  of  which  he 
fully  availed  himself. 

No  officer  of  the  American  navy  ever  filled  a  station  of  the 
responsibility  and  importance  of  that  which  Commodore  Chaun- 


1314.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


421 


ciry  occupiof'  •  nnd  it  may  bo  justly  questioned  if  nny  officer 
could  have  acquitted  himself  better,  of  the  high  trust  that  hud 
been  reposed  in  him.  lie  commanded  the  profound  respect  of 
the  vigilant,  bold,  and  skilful  commander  to  whom  ho  was 
opposed,  and  to  the  last,  retained  the  entire  confidence  of  his 
own  government. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 


3n. 

)rt 

the 

led 

he 


When  Commodore  Bainbridge  gave  up  the  command  of  the 
Constitution  44,  in  1813,  that  ship  was  found  to  be  so  decayed 
as  to  require  extensive  repairs.  Her  crew  was  principally  sent 
upon  the  lakes,  a  new  one  entered,  and  the  command  of  her 
was  given  to  Captain  Charles  Stewart.  The  ship,  however, 
was  not  able  to  get  to  sea  until  the  winter  of  1814,  when  she 
made  a  cruise  to  the  southward,  passing  down  the  coast,  and 
running  through  the  West  Indies,  on  her  way  home,  where  she 
fell  in  with  La  Pique  36,  which  ship  made  her  escape  by  go- 
ing through  the  Mona  passage  in  the  night.  Previously  to  her 
return  the  Constitution  captured  the  Pictou  14,  a  man-of-war 
schooner  of  the  enemy.  Reaching  the  American  coast,  she 
was  chased  into  Marblehead  by  two  English  frigates,  the  Ju- 
non  and  Tenedos.  Shortly  after  she  went  to  Boston.  In  this 
cruise,  the  Constitution  made  a  few  prizes,  in  addition  to  the 
schooner. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  the  Constitution  again  left  Bos- 
ton, and  ran  off  Bermuda ;  thence  to  the  vicinity  of  Madeira, 
and  into  the  Bay  of  Biscay.  After  this,  she  cruised  some  time 
in  sight  of  the  Rock  of  Lisbon,  making  two  prizes,  one  of 
which  was  destroyed,  and  the  other  sent  in.  VVhile  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Lisbon,  she  made  a  large  ship  and  gave  chase,  but 
before  her  courses  were  raised,  one  of  the  prizes  just  mention- 
ed, was  fallen  in  with,  and  while  securing  it,  the  strange  sail 
disappeared.  This  vossel  is  understood  to  have  been  the  Eli- 
zabeth 74,  which,  on  her  arrival  at  Lisbon,  hearing  that  the 
Constitution  was  off  the  coast,  immediately  came  out  in  pur- 
suit of  her ;  but  Captain  Stewart  had  stood  to  the  southward 
and  westward,  in  quest  of  an  enemy  said  to  be  in  that  direction. 
30 


.-'' 


422 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1815. 


On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  February,  the  wind  blowing 
a  light  Levanter,  finding  nothing  where  he  was.  Captain  Stew- 
art ordered  the  helm  put  up,  and  the  ship  ran  off  southwest, 
varying  her  position,  in  that  direction,  fifty  or  sixty  miles.  At 
1  P.  M.,  a  stranger  was  seen  on  the  larboard  bow,  when  the 
ship  hauled  up  two  or  three  points,  and  made  sail  in  chase. 
In  about  twenty  minutes  the  stranger  was  made  out  to  bo  a 
ship ;  and  half  an  hour  later,  a  second  vessel  was  seen  farther 
to  leeward,  which  at  two  was  also  ascertained  to  be  a  ship. 
The  Constitution  kept  standing  on,  all  three  vessels  on  bow- 
lines, until  four,  when  the  nearest  of  the  strangers  made  a 
signal  to  the  ship  to  leeward,  and  shortly  after  he  kept  away 
and  ran  down  towards  his  consort,  then  about  three  leagues 
under  his  lee.  The  Constitution  immediately  squared  away, 
and  set  her  studding-sails,  alow  and  aloft.  No  doubt  was  now 
entertained  of  the  strangers  being  enemies ;  the  nearest  ship 
having  the  appearance  of  a  small  frigate,  and  the  vessel  to 
leeward  that  of  a  large  sloop  of  war.  The  first  was  carrying 
studding-sails  on  both  sides,  while  the  last  was  running  off 
under  short  canvass,  to  allow  her  consort  to  close.  Captain 
Stewart  believed  it  was  their  intention  to  keep  away,  on  their 
best  mode  of  sailing,  until  night,  in  the  hope  of  escaping ;  and 
he  crowded  every  thing  that  would  draw,  with  a  view  to  get 
the  nearest  vessel  under  his  guns.  About  half-past  four,  the 
spar  proving  defective,  the  main  royal-mast  was  carried  away, 
and  the  chase  gained.  A  few  guns  were  now  fired,  but  find- 
ing that  the  shot  fell  short,  the  attempt  to  cripple  the  strange; 
was  abandoned. 

Perceiving,  at  half-past  five,  that  it  was  impossible  to  pre- 
vent the  enemy  from  effecting  a  junction,  the  Constitution, 
then  a  little  more  than  a  league  distant  from  the  farthest  ship, 
cleared  for  action.  Ten  minutes  later,  the  two  chases  passed 
within  hail  of  each  other,  came  by  the  wind  with  their  heads 
to  the  northward,  hauled  up  their  courses,  and  were  evidently 
clearing  to  engage.  In  a  few  minutes  both  ships  suddenly 
made  sail,  close  by  the  wind,  in  order  to  weather  upon  the 
American  frigate,  but  perceiving  that  the  latter  was  closing  too 
fast,  they  again  hauled  up  their  courses,  and  formed  on  the 
wind,  the  smallest  ship  ahead. 

At  6  P.  M.,  the  Constitution  had  the  enemy  completel  ■•  un- 
der her  guns,  and  she  showed  her  ensign.  The  stranger&  an- 
swered this  defiance,  by  setting  English  colours,  and  five  min- 
utes later,  the  American  ship  ranged  up  abeam  of  the  stern- 


Itfli.] 


NAVAL     11  1  B  T  O  Jt  y . 


423 


most  vessel,  at  the  distance  of  q,  cable's  length,  passing  ahead 
with  her  sails  lifting,  until  the  three  ships  formed  nearly  an 
equilateral  triangle,  the  Constitution  to  windward.  In  this 
masterly  position  the  action  commenced,  the  three  vessels  keep- 
ing up  a  hot  and  unceasing  fire  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
when  that  of  the  enemy  sensibly  slackened.  The  sea  being 
covered  with  an  immense  cloud  of  smoke,  and  it  being  now 
moonlight,  Captai..  Stewart  ordered  the  cannonading  to  cense. 
In  three  minutes  the  smoke  had  blown  away,  when  the  lead- 
ing  ship  of  the  enemy  was  seen  under  the  lee-beam  of  tho 
Constitution,  while  the  jternmost  was  luffing,  as  if  she  intend- 
ed to  tack  and  cross  her  wake.  Giving  a  broadside  to  tho 
ship  abreast  of  her,  the  American  frigate  threw  her  main  and 
mizzen-topsails  with  topgallant-sails  set,  flat  aback,  shook  all 
forward,  let  fly  her  jib-sheet,  and  backed  swiftly  astern,  com- 
pelling tho  enemy  to  fill  again  to  avoid  being  raked.  Tho 
leading  ship  now  attempted  to  tack,  to  cross  the  Constitution's 
fore-foot,  when  the  latter  filled,  boarded  her  fore-tack,  shot 
uheud,  forced  her  antagonist  to  ware  under  a  raking  broadside, 
and  to  run  off*  to  leeward  to  escape  from  the  weight  of  her 
fire. 

The  Constitution  perceiving  that  the  largest  ship  was  war- 
ing also,  wore  on  her  keel,  and  crossing  her  stern,  raked  her 
with  effect,  though  the  enemy  came  by  the  wind  immediately, 
and  delivered  his  larboard  broadside ;  but  as  the  Constitution 
ranged  up  close  on  his  weather  quarter,  he  struck.  Mr.  HoflT- 
man,  the  second  lieutenant  of  the  Constitution,  was  immedi- 
ately sent  to  take  possession  ;  the  prize  proving  to  be  the  Brit- 
ish ship  Cyane  24,  Captain  Falcon. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  ship  that  had  run  to  leeward  had  been 
forced  out  of  the  combat  by  the  crippled  condition  of  her  run- 
ning rigging,  and  to  avoid  the  weight  of  the  Constitution's  fire. 
She  was  ignorant  of  the  fate  of  the  Cyane,  but  at  the  end  of 
about  an  hour,  having  repaired  damages,  she  hauled  up,  and 
met  the  Constitution  coming  down  in  quest  of  her.  It  was 
near  nine  before  the  two  ships  crossed  each  other  on  opposite 
tacks,  the  Constitution  to  windward,  and  exchanged  broad- 
sides. The  English  ship  finding  her  antagonist  too  heavy, 
immediately  bore  up,  in  doing  which  she  got  a  raking  dis- 
charge, when  the  Constitution  boarded  fore-tack  and  made  sail, 
keeping  up  a  most  effective  chafing  fire,  from  her  two  bow 
guns,  nearly  every  shot  of  which  told.  The  two  ships  were 
so  near  aach  other,  that  the  ripping  of  the  enemy's  planks  was 


424 


NAVAL    II  i  ti  T  O  11  Y 


[18lo. 


Juuird  on  board  tlio  Amoricim  frigate.  Tho  iormor  wns  una- 
ble to  NU|>|)url  this  lung,  nml  at  lU  1*.  M.  hu  cnmo  by  tlio  wind, 
lirod  a  gun  to  lecwiird,  and  lowered  his  ensign.  Mr.  VV.  JJ. 
iSliubrick,  lie  third  li(!iilenant,  was  sent  on  board  to  take  pes* 
session,  when  it  was  found  that  tho  prize  was  the  Levant  18, 
the  Honourable  Captain  Douglas. 

During  this  eruise,  the  Coustilution  mounted  52  guns  ;  and 
she  had  a  coniplement  of  about  470  men,  all  told ;  a  few  of 
whom  were  absent  in  a  prize.  The  ('yane  was  a  frigate-built 
ship,  that  properly  rated  21  guns,  though  she  appeared  as  oidy 
u  20  in  Steele's  list,  mounting  22  thirty-two-pound  earronades 
on  her  gim-deck,  and  10  eigliteen-j)ound  earronades,  with  two 
chase  guns,  on  her  (piarterdeck  and  forecastle ;  making  31  in 
all.  The  Levant  was  a  new  ship,  rating  18,  and  mounting  18 
thirty-two-pound  earronades,  a  shilling  eighteen  on  her  topgal- 
lant forecastle,  and  two  chase  guns ;  or  21  in  all.  There  were 
found  in  the  Cyane,  lOH  prisoners,  of  whom  20  wore  wounded. 
The  precise  nund)er  slain  on  board  her  is  not  known  ;  Captain 
Stewart,  probal)ly  judging  Irom  an  examination  of  the  muster- 
book,  computing  it  at  12,  while  the  accounts  given  by  the  Eng- 
lish publications  dilfer,  some  putting  tho  killed  at  only  4  and 
others  atfl.  It  was  probably  between  the  two  estimates.  Her 
regular  crew  was  about  185,  all  told;  and  tlie"o  is  no  reason 
to  believe  that  it  was  not  nearly,  if  not  absolutely  full.  Cap- 
tain Stewart  supposes  it  to  have  been  180  in  the  action,  which 
was  probably  about  the  truth.  The  Levant's  regular  comple- 
ment is  said  to  have  been  130,  all  told;  but  it  appears  by  u 
statement  published  in  Rarbadoes,  where  some  of  her  ofllcers 
shortly  aflor  went,  that  there  were  a  good  many  supernumera- 
ries in  the  two  vessels,  who  were  going  to  the  Western  Islands, 
to  bring  away  a  ship  that  was  building  there.  Captain  Stew- 
art supposes  the  Levant  to  have  had  156  men  in  the  action, 
of  whom  he  believed  23  to  have  been  killed,  and  16  wounded. 
The  first  estimate  may  have  been  too  high,  though  the  truth 
can  probably  ncwr  be  known.  It  is  believed  that  no  English 
official  ii  ount  of  this  action  has  ever  been  published,  but  the 
Barbadoos  -t.r  incut  makes  the  joint  loss  of  the  two  ships,  10 
killed,  aiwl  '^"^  w<  ui.<?'ixl ;  other  English  accounts  raise  it  as 
hiuh  as  41  in  all.  It  mav  have  been  a  little  less  than  the  esti- 
mate  of  Captain  Stewart,  (although  his  account  of  the  wounded 
must  have  been  accurate,)  but  was  probably  considerably  more 
than  that  of  the  Englis'<  statements.  The  Constitution  had  3 
killed,  and  1*  woui)<'oii,  or  she  sustained  a  total  loss  vi'  15 


1815.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


425 


men.  By  1  A.M.,  of  tho  21st,  sho  was  ready  for  another 
action.  Altliou^h  it  wuh  more  than  three  hours  and  u  half, 
from  the  tintu  this  combat  commenced,  Ixtforo  the  Levant 
struck,  the  actual  fighting  did  not  occupy  three-quarters  of  an 
hour.  For  a  night  action,  tho  execution  on  both  sides  was 
unusual,  tho  enemy  firing  much  Ixjtter  than  common.  Tho 
Constitution  was  hulled  cllcnor  in  this  engagement,  than  in 
both  her  previous  battles,  though  sho  suflered  loss  in  her  crew, 
than  in  tho  combat  with  tho  Java.  Kho  had  not  an  oiTicer 
hurt. 

Tho  manner  in  which  Captain  Stewart  handled  his  ship,  on 
this  occosion,  excited  much  admir{ition  among  nautical  men, 
it  being  an  unusual  thing  for  a  single  vessel  to  engage  two 
enemies,  and  cscajH)  being  raked.  So  fur  from  this  occurring 
to  the  Constitution,  however,  she  actually  raked  both  her  op. 
ponents,  and  the  manner  in  which  she  backed  and  filled  in  the 
smoke,  forcing  her  two  antagonists  down  to  leeward,  when 
they  were  endeavouring  to  cross  her  stern  or  fore-foot,  is  among 
the  most  brilliant  manoDuvring  in  naval  annals. 

It  is  due  to  a  gallant  enemy  to  say,  that  Captain  Douglas 
commanded  the  respect  of  the  Americans,  by  his  intrepid  per- 
severance  in  standing  by  his  consort.  Although  the  attempt 
might  not  liavc  succeeded,  tho  time,  necessarily  lost  in  securing 
the  Cyanc,  gave  him  an  opportunity  to  endeavour  to  escape, 
that  he  nobly  refused  to  improve. 

(^\^»tuiii  Stewart  proceeded  with  his  two  prizes  to  Port  Praya, 
wlk'-re  ho  arrived  on  the  10th  of  March.  Here  a  vessel  was 
engaged  as  a  cartel,  and  more  than  a  hundred  of  tho  prisoners 
yf  e  landed  with  a  view  to  help  fit  her  for  sea.  Saturday, 
Ularch  11th,  1815,  a  little  after  meridian,  while  the  cutter  was 
abseni  to  bring  the  cartel  under  the  stern  of  tho  frigate,  tho 
sea  was  covered  with  a  heavy  fog,  near  tho  water,  and  there 
was  a  good  deal  of  haze  above,  but  in  the  latter,  the  sails  of  a 
large  ship  were  visible.  She  was  on  a  wind,  looking  in-shore, 
and  evidently  stretching  towards  the  roads.  The  first  lieu- 
tenant, Mr.  Shubrick,  reported  the  circumstance  to  Captain 
Stewart.  This  officer  believing  that  the  strange  sail  would 
prove  to  be  an  English  frigate  or  an  Indiaman,  directed  the 
lieutenant  to  return  on  deck,  call  all  hands,  and  get  ready  to 
go  out  and  attack  her.  As  soon  as  this  order  was  given,  tho 
officer  took  a  new  look  at  the  stranger,  when  he  discovered 
the  canvass  of  two  other  ships  rising  above  the  bank  of  fog, 
in  tho  same  direction.  These  vessels  were  evidently  heavy 
36* 


~"5®33l?3;* 


426 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


11815. 


men-of-war,  and  Captain  Stewart  was  immediately  apprised  of 
the  fresh  discovery.  That  prompt  and  decided  officer  did  not 
hesitate  an  instant  concerning  the  course  he  ouglit  to  tuko. 
Well  knowing  that  the  English  would  disregard  the  neutrality 
of  any  port  that  had  not  sufficient  force  to  resist  them,  or 
which  did  not  belong  to  a  nation  they  were  obliged  to  res|X)ct, 
he  immediately  made  a  signal  for  the  prizes  to  follow,  and  or- 
dered the  Constitution's  cable  to  bo  cut.  In  10  minutes  after 
this  order  was  issued,  and  in  14  after  the  first  ship  had  been 
seen,  the  American  frigate  was  standing  out  of  the  roads, 
under  her  three  topsails. 

The  cool  and  ofticer-liko  manner  in  which  sail  was  made 
and  the  ship  cast,  on  this  occasion,  has  been  much  extolled, 
not  an  instant  having  been  lost  by  hurry  or  conftision.  The 
prizes  followed  with  promptitude.  The  northeast  trades  were 
blowing,  and  tho  three  vessels  passed  out  to  sea  about  gun-shot 
to  windward  of  the  hostile  squadron,  just  clearing  East  Point. 
As  the  Constitution  cleared  the  land,  she  crossed  topgallant- 
yards,  boarded  her  tacks,  and  set  all  the  light  sails  that  would 
draw.  The  English  prisoners  on  shore,  took  possession  of  a 
battery,  and  fircd  at  her  as  she  went  out.  As  soon  as  tho 
American  ships  had  gained  the  weather  beam  of  the  enemy, 
the  latter  tacked,  and  the  six  vessels  stood  off  to  the  south- 
ward and  eastward,  carrying  every  thing  that  would  draw,  and 
going  about  ten  knots. 

The  fog  still  lay  so  thick  upon  tho  water  as  to  conceal  tho 
hulls  of  the  strangers,  but  they  were  supposed  to  be  two  line- 
of-battle  ships,  and  a  large  frigate,  tho  vessel  most  astern  and 
to  leeward,  being  the  commodore.  The  frigate  weathered  on 
all  tho  American  ships,  gaining  on  the  Levant  and  Cyane,  but 
falling  astern  of  the  Constitution  ;  while  the  two  larger  vessels, 
on  the  latter's  lee  quarter,  held  way  with  her.  As  soon  as 
clear  of  the  land,  the  Constitution  cut  adrift  two  of  her  boats, 
the  enemy  pressing  her  too  hard  to  allow  of  their  being  hoisted 
in.  The  Cyane  was  gradually  dropping  astern  and  to  leeward, 
rendering  it  certain,  if  she  stood  on,  that  the  most  weathcrly 
of  the  enemy's  vessels  would  soon  be  alongside  of  her ;  and 
at  10  minutes  past  one.  Captain  Stewart  made  a  signal  for  her 
to  tack.  This  order  was  obeyed  by  Mr.  rioffinan,  the  prize- 
master  ;  and  it  was  now  expected  that  one  of  the  enemy's 
ships  would  go  about,  and  follow  him  ;  a  hope  that  was  disap- 
pointed. The  Cyane  finding  that  she  was  not  pursued,  stood 
on  until  she  was  lost  in  the  fog,  when  Mr.  Hoffinan  tacked 


1815.1 


NAVAL     H  I  S  T  O  U  Y 


427 


again,  anticipating  that  the  enemy  might  chase  him  to  leeward. 
This  prudent  officer  improved  his  advantage,  by  keeping  to 
windward  long  enough  to  al'ow  the  enemy  to  get  ahead,  should 
they  pursue  him,  when  he  squared  away  for  America,  arriving 
salely  ut  New  York  on  the  10th  of  April  following. 

The  three  ships  of  the  enemy  continued  to  chase  the  Con- 
stitution and  Levant.  As  the  vessels  left  the  land  the  fog  less- 
ened, though  it  still  lay  so  dense  on  the  immediate  surface  of 
the  ocean,  as  to  leave  Captain  Stewart  in  doubt  as  to  the  force 
of  his  pursuers.  The  English  officers  on  board  the  Constitu- 
tion affirmed  that  the  vessel  that  was  getting  into  her  wake 
was  the  Acasta  40,  Captain  Kerr,  a  twenty-four-poundcr  ship, 
and  it  was  thought  that  the  three  were  a  squadron  that  was 
cruising  for  the  President,  Peacock,  and  Hornet,  consisting  of 
the  Leander  50,  Sir  George  Collier,  Newcastle  60,  Lord  George 
Stuart,  and  the  Acasta ;  the  ships  that  they  subsequently  proved 
to  be.  The  Newcastle  wa.s  the  vessel  on  the  lee-quarter  of  the 
Constitution,  and  by  half-past  two  the  fog  had  got  so  low,  that 
her  officers  wcix)  seen  standing  on  the  hammock-cloths,  though 
the  line  of  her  ports  was  not  visible.  She  now  began  to  fire 
by  divisions,  and  some  opinion  could  be  formed  of  her  arma- 
ment, by  the  flashes  of  her  guns,  through  the  fog.  Her  shot 
struck  the  water  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  American  ship, 
but  did  not  rise  again.  By  3  P.  M.,  the  Levant  had  fallen  so 
far  astern,  that  she  was  in  the  very  danger  from  which  the 
Cyane  had  so  lately  been  extricated,  and  Captain  Stewart 
made  her  signal  to  tack  also.  Mr.  Ballard  immediately  com- 
plied, and  7  minutes  later  the  three  English  ships  tacked,  by 
signal,  and  chased  the  prize,  leaving  the  Constitution  standing 
on  in  a  different  direction,  and  going  at  the  rate  of  eleven  knots. 

Mr.  Ballard  finding  the  enemy  bent  on  following  the  Levant, 
with  the  Acasta  already  to  windward  of  his  wake,  ran  back 
into  Port  Pray  a,  and  anchored,  at  4  o'clock,  within  150  yards 
of  the  shore,  under  a  strong  battery.  The  enemy's  ships  had. 
commenced  firing,  as  soon  as  it  was  seen  that  the  Levant 
would  gain  the  anchorage,  and  all  three  now  opened  on  the 
prize.  After  bearing  the  fire  for  a  considerable  time,  the 
colours  of  the  Levant  were  hauled  down.  No  one  was  hurt 
in  the  prize,  Mr.  Ballard  causing  his  men  to  lie  on  the  deck,  as 
soon  as  the  ship  was  anchored.  The  English  prisoners  in  the 
battery,  also  fired  at  the  Levant. 

Sir  George  Collier  was  much  criticised  for  the  course  he 
pursued  on  this  occasion.     It  was  certainly  a  mistake  to  call 


.ijyjgjj^^jr 


428 


NAVAL    HISTORY 


[1815. 


off  more  than  one  ship  to  chase  the  Levant,  though  the  position 
of  the  Leander  in  the  fog,  so  far  to  leeward  and  astern,  did  not 
give  the  senior  officer  the  best  opportunities  for  observing  the 
course  of  events.  There  was  certainly  every  prospect  of  the 
Acasta's  bringing  the  Constitution  to  action  in  the  course  of 
the  night,  though  the  other  vessels  might  have  been  lefl  so  far 
astern,  as  still  to  render  the  result  doubtful. 

Whatever  may  be  thought  of  the  management  of  the  enemy, 
there  can  be  but  one  opinion  as  to  that  of  Captain  Stewart.  The 
promptitude  with  which  he  decided  on  his  course,  the  judgment 
with  which  he  ordered  the  prizes  to  vary  their  courses,  and 
the  steadiness  with  which  the  Constitution  was  commanded, 
aided  in  elevating  a  professional  reputation  that  was  already 
very  high. 

This  terminated  the  exploits  of  the  gallant  Constitution,  or 
Old  Ironsides,  as  she  was  affectionately  called  in  the  navy ; 
Captain  Stewart,  after  landing  his  prisoners  at  Maranham,  and 
learning  at  Porto  Rico,  that  peace  had  been  made,  carried 
her  into  New  York,  about  the  middle  of  May.  In  the  course 
of  two  yearg  and  nine  months,  this  ship  had  been  in  three  ac- 
tions, had  been  twice  critically  chased,  and  had  captured  five 
vessels  of  war,  two  of  which  were  frigates,  and  a  third  frigate- 
built.  In  all  her  service,  as  well  before  Tripoli,  as  in  this  war, 
her  good  fortune  was  remarkable.  She  never  was  dismasted, 
never  got  ashore,  or  scarcely  ever  suffered  any  of  the  usual 
accidents  of  the  sea.  Though  so  often  in  battle,  no  very  seri- 
ous slaughter  ever  took  place  on  board  her.  One  of  her  com- 
manders was  wounded,  and  four  of  her  lieutenants  had  been 
killed  ;  two  on  her  own  decks,  and  two  in  the  Intrepid ;  but,  on 
the  whole,  her  entire  career  had  been  that  of  what  is  usually 
called  a  "  lucky  ship."  Her  fortune,  however,  may  perhaps 
be  explained  in  the  simple  fact,  that  she  had  always  been  well 
commanded.  In  her  two  last  cruises  she  had  probably  pos- 
sessed as  fine  a  crew  as  ever  manned  a  frigate.  They  were 
principally  New  England  men,  and  it  has  been  said  of  them, 
that  they  were  almost  qualified  to  fight  the  ship  without  her 
officers. 


1814.J 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


429 


I   i 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 


When  Commodore  Rodgers  left  the  President,  in  the  summer 
of  1814,  to  take  command  of  the  Guerriere,  Commodore  De- 
catur was  transferred  to  the  former  ship.;  the  United  States 
and  Macedonian,  then  blockaded  in  the  Thames,  having  been 
laid  up,  and  the  Hornet,  Captain  Biddle,  left  to  protect  them. 
This  service  was  particularly  irksome  to  an  officer  of  the  spirit 
of  th6  last-named  gentleman ;  and  persevering  in  his  applica- 
tions to  bo  released  from  it,  ho  finally  received  an  order  to  join 
Commodore  Decatur  at  New  York,  where  the  President  had 
been  some  time  detained  to  make  part  of  the  defence  of  the 
port,  while  the  enemy  was  committing  his  depredations  on  the 
coast,  during  the  mild  weather.  No  sooner  did  Captain  Biddle 
receive  this  welcome  command,  than  he  took  the  first^  favour- 
able occasion  to  pass  out,  leaving  the  blockading  squadron 
to  the  eastward,  and  ran  down  to  Now  York.  This  was  in 
the  month  of  November,  1814,  and  Commodore  Decatur  had 
now  a  force  consisting  of  the  President  44,  his  own  ship.  Pea- 
cock 18,  Captain  Warrington,  Hornet  18,  Captain  Biddle,  and 
Tom  Bowline  store-vessel.  His  destination  was  the  East 
Indies,  where  it  was  thought  great  havoc  might  be  made  with 
the  valuable  trade  of  the  English. 

Owing  to  different  causes,  but  principally  to  the  wish  of  the 
government  to  keep  a  force  at  New  York  to  resist  the  depre- 
dations of  the  enemy.  Commodore  Decatur  did  not  get  to  sea 
until  the  middle  of  January,  1815.  The  President  dropped 
down  to  Sandy  Hook  alone,  leaving  the  other  vessels  lying  at 
Staten  Island,  and  on  the  night  of  the  14th,  she  made  an  at- 
tempt to  cross  the  bar.  In  consequence  of  the  darkness,  the 
pilots  missed  the  channel  and  the  ship  struck ;  beating  heavily 
on  the  sands,  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  About  10  o'clock  the 
tide  had  risen  to  its  height,  and  she  was  forced  into  deep  water. 
Although  the  vessel  had  received  considerable  injury,  it  was 
impossible  to  return,  and  a  strong  blockading  force  being  in 
the  ofting,  it  became  necessary  to  carry  sail  to  get  off"  the  coast 
before  morning.  It  had  blown  a  gale  the  previous  day,  and 
Commodore  Decatur,  rightly  judging  that  the  enemy  had  been 
driven  to  leeward,  decided  to  run  along  the  land  to  the  north- 


430 


i^AVAL    HISTORY 


[1815. 


ward  and  eastward,  as  the  best  means  of  avoiding  a  grcaUy 
superior  force.  This  determination  was  judicious,  and,  had 
not  the  detention  occurred  on  the  bar,  it  would  have  been  com- 
pletely successful.  After  running  off  in  a  northeastern  direc- 
tion for  about  5  hours,  the  course  of  the  ship  was  altered  to  S. 
E.  by  E.  Two  hours  later,  a  strange  sail  was  discovered 
ahead,  within  gun-shot,  and  two  others  being  soon  after  seen, 
the  President  hauled  up  and  passed  to  the  northv/ard  of  thoin 
all.  At  daylight,  four  ships  were  seen  in  chase,  one  on  each 
quarter  and  two  astern.  The  nearest  vessel  was  Ixilieved  to 
be  the  Majectic  rasee,  which  fired  a  broadside  or  two,  in  the 
hope  of  crippling  the  American  frigate  as  she  passed,  but 
without  affect.  It  is  now  known,  that  the  enemy  had  been 
driven  down  to  the  southward  by  the  gale,  and  that  ho  was  just 
returniiig  to  his  station,  when  this  unlucky  encounter  occurred. 

The  chase  continued  throughout  the  forenoon,  tlie  wind 
becoming  lighter  and  baffling.  The  rasee  was  dropped  mate- 
rially, but  the  next  nearest  ^hip,  the  Endymion,  40,  a  tvvcnty- 
four-pounder  frigate,  had  closed,  and  as  the  Px'csident  was 
very  deep,  being  filled  with  stores  for  a  long  cruise,  Commo- 
doi*e  Decatur  commenced  lightening  her.  Unfortunately  the 
commander,  all  the  lieutenants,  and  the  master  were  strangers, 
in  one  sense,  to  the  ship ;  most  of  them  rever  having  been  at 
sea  in  her  at  all,  and  neither  in  any  responsible  situation.  The 
duty  of  lightening  a  ship  in  chase,  is  one  of  the  most  delicate 
operations  in  seamanship,  and  it  ought  never  to  be  attempted 
except  by  those  perfectly  acquainted  with  her  lines,  trim,  and 
stowage.  Half-a-dozen  more  water-casks  emptied  at  one  end 
of  the  vessel  than  at  the  other  may  injure  her  sailing ;  and  the 
utmost  care  is  to  be  observed  lest  the  indiscretion  of  inferiors 
in  the  hold,  defeat  the  calculations  of  the  commander  on  deck. 
On  the  other  hand.  Commodore  Decatur  decided  to  undertake 
this  delicate  operation  under  the  most  favourable  circumstances 
that  a  want  of  familiarity  with  his  ship  would  allow,  as  the 
wind  was  getting  to  be  light,  and  was  nearly  aft. 

It  is  not  certain,  however,  that  the  sailing  of  the  President 
was  injured  by  the  process  of  lightening,  for  she  is  suppose! 
to  have  suffered  materially  while  on  the  bar,  and  the  enemy  ob- 
tained a  material  advantage  by  a  change  in  the  wind.  While 
it  was  still  light  with  the  American  ship,  the  British,  about  3 
P.  M.,  were  bringing  down  with  them  a  fresh  breeze.  Soon 
after,  the  Endymion,  the  nearest  vessel,  having  got  within 
reach  of  shot,  opened  with  her  bow  guns,  the  President  return* 


1815.] 


NAVAL     HISTOWY 


431 


ing  the  fire  with  her  stern*chasers.  The  object  of  each,  was 
to  cripple  the  spars  of  the  other.  It  is  said,  that  on  this  occa- 
sion, the  shot  oi  ihe  American  ship  were  observed  to  be  thrown 
with  a  momentum  so  unusually  small,  as  to  have  since  excited 
a  distrust  of  the  quality  of  her  powder.  It  is  even  added,  that 
many  of  these  shot  were  distinctly  seen,  when  clear  of  the 
smoke,  until  they  struck. 

By  5  P.  M.,  the  Endymion  had  got  so  far  on  the  starboard, 
or  lee  quarter  of  the  President,  that  no  gun  of  the  latter  would 
bear  on  her  without  altering  the  course.  The  fire  of  the  Eng- 
lish ship  now  became  exceedingly  annoying,  for  she  was  ma- 
terially within  point-blank  range,  and  every  shot  cut  away 
something  aloft.  Still  it  was  borne,  in  the  hope  that  she  would 
range  up  alongside,  and  give  the  President  an  opportunity  of 
laying  her  aboard.  Finding,  however,  that  the  enemy  warily 
kept  his  position  by  yawing,  in  the  hope  of  gradually  crippling 
the  American  ship.  Commodore  Decatur  decided  on  a  course 
that  singularly  partook  of  the  daring  chivalry  of  his  character. 

It  was  now  evident  that  the  sailing  of  the  President  was 
much  impaired  by  some  cause  or  other ;  either  by  injuries  re- 
ceived  on  the  bar,  or  by  the  manner  m  which  she  had  been 
lightened,  and  escape  by  flight  had  become  nearly  hopeless. 
Commodore  Decatur,  therefore,  decided  to  make  an  effort  to 
exchange  ships,  by  carrying  the  Endymion,  hand  to  hand, 
and  to  go  off  in  the  prize,  abandoning  his  own  vessel  to  the 
enemy.  With  this  object  in  view,  he  determined  io  keep  away, 
lay  the  enemy  aboard  if  possible,  and  put  every  thing  on  the 
success  of  the  experiment.  The  plan  was  communicated  to 
the  people,  who  received  it  cheerfully,  And  just  at  dusk,  the 
helm  of  the  President  was  put  up,  bringing  the  wind  over  the 
taffrail,  the  ship  heading  south.  But  she  was  so  closely 
watched,  that  the  Endymion  kept  away  at  the  same  moment, 
and  the  two  ships  soon  came  abeam  of  each  other,  when  both 
delivered  their  broadsides.  All  the  President's  attempts  to 
close,  were  defeated,  for  the  vessels  were  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  apart,  and  as  she  hauled  nearer  to  the  enemy,  the  latter 
sheered  away  from  her.  Without  a  superiority  in  sailing,  it 
was  impossible  for  Commodore  Decatur  to  get  any  nearer,  and 
he  was  now  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  attempting  to  get  rid 
of  the  Endymion  by  dismantling  her.  The  two  frigates,  con- 
sequently continued  running  off  dead  before  the  wind,  keeping 
up  a  heavy  cannonade  for  two  hours  and  a  half,  when  the 
enemy's  vessel  was  so  far  injured  that  she  fell  astern,  most  of 


i' 


n-y  »'"'|'^"7"T'i'  ^'^"■r^^^^VK^ 


432 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


[1815. 


her  sails  having  been  cut  from  the  yards.  The  President,  at 
this  moment,  was  under  her  royal  studding-sails,  and  there  is 
no  doubt,  by  choosing  her  position,  she  might  easily  have  com- 
pelled her  adversary  to  strike ;  but,  by  this  time,  though  the 
night  was  dark,  the  vessels  astern  were  in  sight,  and  she  was 
obliged  to  resume  her  original  course  to  avoid  them.  In  doing 
tills,  the  President  hauled  up  under  the  broadside  of  her  late 
antagonist,  without  receiving  any  fire  to  injure  her. 

It  was  now  half-past  eight,  and  the  President  continued  to 
run  off  southeast,  repairing  damages,  but  it  was  found  impossi- 
ble to  prevent  the  other  vessels  of  the  enemy  from  closing. 
At  11  P.  M.,  the  Pomona  38  got  on  the  weather  bow  of  the 
American  ship,  and  poured  in  a  broadside  ;  and  as  the  Tencdos, 
of  the  same  force,  was  fast  closing  on  the  quarter,  and  the 
Majestic  was  within  gun-shot  astern,  further  resistance  was 
useless.  Commodore  Decatur  had  ordered  his  people  below, 
when  he  saw  the  two  last  frigates  closing,  but  finding  that  his 
signal  of  submission  was  not  at  first  understood,  the  Pomona 
continuing  to  fire,  an  order  had  been  given  for  them  to  return 
to  their  guns,  just  as  the  enemy  ceased.  The  Majestic  coming 
up  before  the  removal  of  Commodore  Decatur,  that  gentleman 
delivered  his  sword  to  her  captain,  who  was  the  senior  English 
officer  present. 

In  this  long  and  close  cannonade,  agreeably  to  the  official 
reports,  the  President  lost  24  men  killed,  and  66  wounded. 
She  was  a  good  deal  injured  in  her  hull,  and  most  of  her  im- 
portant spars  were  badly  damaged.  By  one  of  those  chances 
which  decide  the  fortunes  of  men,  among  the  slain  were  the 
first,  fourth,  and  fifth  lieutenants. 

The  Endymion  had  11  killed,  and  14  wounded,  according 
to  the  published  reports.  As  it  is  known  that  an  order  was 
given  to  aim  at  the  rigging  and  spars  of  this  ship,  with  a  view 
to  cripple  her,  it  is  probable  this  statement  was  accurate.  It  is 
believed,  however,  on  respectable  authority,  that  a  great  many 
shot  hulled  the  Endymion,  which  did  not  penetrate;  a  fact 
which,  coupled  with  other  observations  made  during  the  day, 
has  induced  the  distrust  of  the  quality  of  the  President's  powder. 
Owing  to  one,  or  to  both,  the  circumstances  named,  the  Eng- 
lish ship  lost  but  about  a  third  as  many  men  as  the  American, 
though  a  considerable  number  of  the  President's  people  were 
killed  and  wounded  by  the  unrfc^isted  fire  of  the  Pomona,  hav- 
ing been  ordered  back  to  the  guns  before  the  latter  ceased. 

The  President  was  carried  to  Bermuda,  and  both  she  and 


1815.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


433 


the  Endymion  wore  dismasted  in  a  gale,  boforo  reaching  \)ott. 
The  hitter  ulso  threw  overboard  her  upper-deck  guns.  Com- 
modore Decatur  was  shortly  after  paroled,  and  he  ond  all 
his  surviving  officers  and  men,  were  subsequently  acquitted, 
with  honour,  for  the  loss  of  the  ship. 

The  commanders  of  the  Peacock,  Hornet,  and  Tom  Bowline 
brig,  ignorant  of  the  capture  of  the  President,  followed  her  to 
sea,  about  the  22d,  taking  advantage  of  a  strong  northwester, 
to  pass  the  bar  by  daylight.  The  enemy  was  seen  lying-to  at 
the  southward  and  eastward,  but  was  disregarded.  ^.  few  days 
out  the  Hornet  parted  company  in  chase  of  a  neutral,  when  all 
three  vessels  made  the  best  of  their  way  to  the  island  of  Tristan 
d'Acunha,  the  place  of  rendezvous  appointed  by  Commodore 
Decatur.  The  Peacock  and  Tom  Bowline  arrived  about  the 
middle  of  March,  but  bad  weather  coming  on,  they  were  driven 
off  the  land.  On  the  morning  of  the  2'M  of  the  same  month, 
the  Hornet  came  in,  with  the  wind  fresh  at  S.  S.  W.,  and  was 
about  to  anchor,  having  let  go  her  topsail-sheets  to  clew  up, 
when  the  men  aloft  discovered  a  sail  to  windward.  The 
stranger  was  standing  to  the  westward,  and  was  soon  shut  in 
by  the  land.  Captain  Biddle  immediately  sheeted  home  his 
topsails  again,  and  made  a  stretch  to  windward  and  towards 
the  chase,  which  was  shortly  after  seen  running  down  before 
the  wind.  There  being  little  doubt  as  to  the  character  of  the 
stranger,  the  Hornet  hove-to,  waiting  for  him  to  come  down, 
and  when  he  had  got  near  enough  to  render  it  prudent,  the 
main-topsail  was  filled,  and  the  ship  was  kept  yrwing,  occa- 
sionally waring,  both  to  allow  him  to  close  and  to  ^ireveni  his 
giving  a  raking  fire. 

At  1  40  P.  M.,  the  stranger  having  got  within  musket-shot, 
came  by  the  wind,  set  English  colours  and  fired  a  gun.  On 
this  challenge,  the  Hornet  luffed  up,  showed  her  ensign,  and 
returned  a  broadside.  For  15  minutes  both  vessels  kept  up  a 
sharp  c&'inonade,  that  of  the  American  ship,  in  particular,  br- 
ing very  animated  and  destructive,  the  enemy  gradually  drift- 
ing nearer,  when  the  latter,  finding  it  impossible  to  stand  the 
Hornet's  fire,  put  his  helm  up  and  ran  down  directly  on  the 
starboard  broadside  of  the  latter,  to  lay  her  aboard.  The 
enemy's  bowsprit  came  in  between  the  main  and  mizzen  rig- 
ging of  the  Hornet,  affording  a  pevfectly  good  opportunity  to 
attempt  effecting  his  purpose,  but,  though  his  first  lieutenant 
made  a  gallant  effort  to  lead  on  his  men,  the  latter  could  not 
be  induced  to  follow.  Captain  Biddle  had  called  away  boarders 
37 


434 


NAVAL     HISTOUY. 


[1S15. 


to  repel  boarders,  and  his  people  now  maiiifustcdn  strong  wish 
to  go  into  the  Englidh  vessel,  but  perceiving  his  great  advan- 
tage at  the  guns,  timt  intrepid  olficer,  who  had  been  so  free  to 
adopt  this  expedient,  when  it  was  his  duty  to  load  in  his  own 
person,  judiciously  refused  his  permission. 

The  vessels  lay  in  this  position  but  o  minute  or  two,  tho 
American  raking,  when  tho  seu  lilled  the  Hornet  ahead,  carry- 
ing away  her  mizzen  rigging,  davits,  and  spanker-boom,  tho 
enemy  swinging  round  and  hanging  on  the  larboard  quarter. 
At  this  montent.  Captain  Biddle  sent  the  master  forward  to  set 
tho  foresail,  with  a  view  to  part  the  vessels,  wlien  an  ofticer  on 
board  tho  English  ship  called  out  that  she  surrendered.  Tho 
positions  prevented  any  other  firing  than  that  of  small-arms  ; 
this  was  ordered  to  uiase,  and  Captain  Biddle  sprang  upon  tho 
taflrail  to  inquire  if  the  enemy  submitted.  While  putting  this 
question,  ho  was  within  thirty  feet  of  tho  forecastle  of  the  Eng- 
lish vessel,  and  two  marines  on  board  discharged  their  mus- 
kets at  him.  The  ball  of  one  just  missed  the  chin  and  passing 
through  the  skin  of  the  neck,  inflicted  a  severe,  but  fortunately 
not  a  dangerous  wound.  This  incident  drew  a  discharge  of 
muskets  from  the  Hornet,  which  killed  the  two  marines  ;  tho 
American  ship  forged  ahead  at  that  instant,  and  the  enemy 
lost  his  bowsprit  and  foremast  as  tho  vessels  separated. 

The  Hornet  now  wore  round,  bringing  a  fresh  broadside  to 
bear,  and  was  about  to  throw  in  a  rakmg  fire,  when  twenty 
men  appeared  at  the  side  and  on  the  forecastle  of  the  enemy, 
raising  their  hands  for  quarter,  and  eagerly  calling  out  that 
they  had  struck.  The  excitement  on  board  the  American  ship, 
however,  was  so  great,  in  consequence  of  the  manner  in  which 
their  gallant  captain  had  received  his  wound,  that  it  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty  Captain  Biddle  and  his  officers  could  pre- 
vent the  people  from  pouring  in  another  broadside. 

The  prize  was  H.  B.  Majesty's  brig  the  Penguin  18,  mount- 
ing 19  carriage  guns ;  viz.,  16  thirty-two-pound  carronadcs, 
two  cimse  guns,  and  a  shifling  carronade  on  the  topgallant 
forecastle.  She  was  a  vessel  of  the  Hornet's  class,  size,  and 
metal,  and  is  represented  as  having  had  a  spare  port  forward, 
by  means  of  which  she  could  fight  ten  guns  in  broadside.*    Her 

*  On  an  accurate  computation  of  the  real  (not  nominal)  metal  of  the 
two  vessels,  tlie  Hornet  would  appear  to  have  thrown,  at  a  broadside^  about 
nine  pounds  more  shot  than  the  Penguin ;  the  latter  not  using  her  spare 
port.  As  respects  the  crews,  the  American  ship  had  some  ten  or  fifleen 
the  most  men  at  quarters.    In  tonnage  the  vessels  wore  very  nearly  equal. 


1815.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


435 


com[)loment  of  men  was  132,  of  whom  12  had  been  put  on 
boiinl  hor  lor  the  exprnsH  purpose  of  ciignf^ing  a  very  heavy 
Auiericuu  privutcor  called  the  Young  Wu8p,  a  fact  that  is 
known  by  a  letter  found  in  her,  from  the  Admiral  at  the  Capo 
of  Good  Hope,  to  which  station  the  Penguin  l)clonged.  Cap- 
tain Hiddle  stated  the  loss  of  his  pri/M  at  14  killed  and  28 
wounded.  As  respticts  the  latter,  thero  could  bo  no  mistake, 
though  it  was  the  opinion  of  thcoincer  in  charge  of  the  English 
vessel,  that  more  men  had  been  slain.  Some  timo  previously 
to  this  capture,  the  enemy  had  ceased  to  publish  tho  oflicial 
accounts  of  his  nautical  defeats,  but  a  IctUn'  purporting  to  l)o 
the  one  written  on  this  occasion,  has  found  its  way  before  tho 
world,  in  which  the  English  loss  is  stated  at  only  10  killed  and 
28  wounded.  The  Penguin  was  completely  riddled  with  tho 
Hornet's  shot,  lost  her  foremast  and  Ijowsprit,  and  her  main* 
mast  was  too  much  injured  to  l.)0  secured.  Among  her  slain 
was  her  commander.  Captain  Dickenson,  and  the  boatswain  ; 
and  among  the  wounded  a  lieutenant,  two  midshipmen,  and  tho 
purser. 

Tho  Hornet  had  but  1  man  killed,  and  10  wounded.  Among 
the  latter,  in  addition  to  Captain  Biddle,  was  the  first  lieutenant, 
Mr.  Conner,*  a  young  oilicer  of  high  promise,  whose  life  was 
considered  in  great  danger  for  some  time.  Not  a  round  shot 
touched  the  Hornet's  hull,  nor  did  her  spars  receive  any  ma- 
terial injury,  though  she  w  as  a  good  deal  cut  up  in  her  rigging 
and  sails. 

The  combat  between  the  Hornet  and  the  Petiguin  was  one 
of  the  most  creditable  to  the  character  of  the  American  marine 
that  occurred  in  the  course  of  the  war.  The  vessels  were  very 
fairly  matched,  and  when  it  is  remembered  that  an  English 
flag-officer  had  sent  the  Penguin  on  especial  service  against  a 
ship  Ixilievcd  to  be  materially  heavier  than  tho  vessel  she  ac- 
tually encountered,  it  is  fair  to  presume  she  was  thought  to  be, 
in  every  respect,  an  efficient  ci.iser.  Yet,  with  the  advantage 
of  the  wind,  this  ship  was  taken  in  22  minutes,  including  the 
time  lost  while  she  hung  on  the  Hornet's  quarter,  and  while 
the  latter  was  waring.  The  neatness  and  despatch  with  which 
the  American  sloop  did  her  work,  the  coolness  with  which  she 
met  the  attempt  to  board,  and  the  accuracy  of  her  fire  and 
handling,  are  all  proofs  of  her  having  been  a  disciplined  man- 
of-war,  and  of  the  high  condition  of  that  service  in  which  she 


*  Now  Captain  Conner 


436 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1815. 


was  one  of  tho  favourites.     It  is  by  such  exploits  that  the 
character  of  a  marine  is  iriost  cflectuaily  proved. 

A  few  hours  ailcr  the  action,  u  strungn  and  suspiciously  look- 
ing sail  heaving  in  sight,  a  cable  was  taken  from  tho  I'enguin, 
and  the  1  lornct  towed  her  some  distance  oif  the  land.  Aiier 
thoroughly  examining  the  prize,  and  getting  out  of  her  all  tho 
stores- and  provisions  that  were  wanted,  before  daylight,  on  tho 
morning  of  tho  25th,  Oaptuin  iiiddic  scuttled  her.  The  Hornet 
then  stood  in  towards  the  island  to  look  for  the  strange  sail, 
which  was  found  to  be  the  Peacock,  having  tho  Tom  IJowline 
in  company.  An  arrangement  was  now  made,  by  which  the 
latter  was  converted  into  a  cartel,  and  was  sent  into  St.  Salva- 
dor with  the  prisoners. 

As  soon  as  he  was  released  from  this  encumbrance,  and 
from  the  great  drain  on  his  supplies,  Captain  Biddle  was  ready 
to  continue  his  cruise.  This  spirited  officer  did  not  coneidcr 
the  capture  of  a  vessel  of  the  same  class  as  his  own,  a  reason 
of  itself  for  returning  to  port ;  but,  it  having  been  ascertained, 
by  means  of  the  Macedoniunj  a  brig  which  sailed  with  tho 
President,  that  the  latter  ship  was  probably  captured.  Captain 
Warrington  determined  to  proceed  oil  the  original  cruise,  with 
the  remaining  vessels.  They  sailed,  accordingly,  on  the  13th 
of  April,  having  remained  at  tho  island  the  time  directed  in  tho 
instructions  of  Commodore  Decatur. 

While  making  the  best  of  their  way  towards  the  Indian  seas, 
on  the  morning  of  the  27th  of  April,  the  two  ships  then  being 
in  lat.  38°  30'  S.,  long.  33°  E.,  the  Peacock  made  the  signal 
of  a  stranger  to  the  southward  and  eastward.  Both  the  sloops 
of  war  made  sail  in  chase.  Though  the  wind  was  light,  before 
evening  it  was  found  that  the  stranger  was  materially  nearer.  It 
now  fell  calm,  and  the  chase  was  in  sight  in  the  morning.  The 
wind  coming  out  at  N.  W.,  the  ships  ran  down  before  it,  with 
studding-sails  on  both  sides,  the  stranger  hauling  up,  oppa- 
rently,  to  look  at  them.  The  Peacock  was  the  fastest  vessel, 
and  being  two  leagues  ahead  at  half  past  2,  P.  M.,  she  was  ob- 
served to  manifest  some  caution  about  approachir"  the  stranger, 
when  the  Hornet  took  in  her  starboard  light  sai>j,  and  hauled 
up  for  her  consort.  It  was  now  thought,  on  board  the  latter 
ship,  that  the  stranger  was  a  large  Indiaman,  and  that  the 
Peacock  was  merely  waiting  for  the  Hornet  to  come  up,  in 
order  to  attack  her.  But  an  hour  later  Captain  Warrington 
made  a  signal  that  the  vessel  in  sight  was  a  line-of-battle  ship', 
and  an  enemy.     The  Hornet  immediately  hauled  close  upon 


1815.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


437 


•g 


the  wind,  the  stranger  then  on  h<^r  lee  quorter,  distant  not  quite 
two  leagues,  the  Peacock  passing  ahead  and  soon  getting  clear 
of  him. 

It  was  now  seen  that  the  English  ship  sailed  very  fast,  and 
was  unusually  weatherly.  The  Hornet  being  nrjore  particu» 
larly  in  danger,  about  9  P.  M .,  Captain  Biddlo  felt  it  necessary 
to  begin  to  lighten,  his  vessel  being  crowded  with  stores  taken 
from  the  Penguin.  Twelve  tons  of  kentledge,  a  quantity  of 
shot,  some  heavy  spars,  and  the  sheet-anchor  nnd  cable,  were 
thrown  overboai-d.  By  2  A.  M.,  the  enemy  had  drawn  for- 
ward of  the  lee-beam,  when  the  Hornet  tacked  to  the  westward, 
the  enemy  immediately  following.  At  daylight  on  the  29th, 
the  English  ship  was  on  the  lee  quarter  of  the  American,  and 
within  gun-shot.  At  7  o'clock  she  had  English  colours  set  with 
a  rear-admiral's  flag  flying,  and  she  commenced  firing.  The 
shot  passing  over  the  Hornet,  the  launch  was  cut  up  and  gotten 
rid  of,  the  other  anchors  and  cables,  more  shot,  as  many  heavy 
articles  as  could  bo  come  at,  and  six  of  the  guns  were  also 
thrown  overboard.  By  9  o'clock,  the  enemy  had  dropped  so 
far  astern  that  he  ceased  firing,  the  concussion  produced  by 
hio  guns  having  deadened  the  wind. 

By  11  A.  M.,  however,  it  was  found  that  the  enemy  was 
again  closing,  when  the  Hornet  threw  overboard  all  the  re- 
maining gims  but  one,  the  boats,  most  of  her  shot,  all  tho 
spare  spars,  and  as  many  other  articles  off  deck  and  from  be- 
low, as  could  be  got  at.  She  also  cut  up  her  topgallant  fore- 
castle, and  threw  the  pieces  into  the  ocean.  At  meridian,  the 
enemy  had  got  within  n  mile,  and  he  tegan  again  to  fire,  his 
shot  flying  far  beyond  tho  ship.  Fortunately  but  three  struck 
her.  One  passed  through  her  jib,  another  plunged  on  her 
deck,  glancing  and  lodging  forward,  nnd  a  third  also  hulled 
her.  Still  Captain  Biddle  held  on,  determined  not  to  give  up 
his  ship  while  there  was  a  ray  of  hope,  for  it  was  seen  that 
the  enemy  was  dropped  while  firing.  About  2  P.  M.  the 
breeze  freshened,  and  got  more  to  the  westward.  Previously 
to  this,  the  wind,  by  backing  to  the  southeast,  had  greatly 
favoured  the  chase,  but  it  now  brought  the  Hornet  more  to 
windward,  and  she  began  to  get  brisk  way  on  her.  At  sunset 
the  stranger  was  more  than  a  league  astern,  and  the  ship  was 
running  nine  knots  throughout  the  night,  the  wind  blowing  in 
squalls.  The  enemy  was  seen  at  intervals,  carrying  sail  in 
chase,  but  at  daylight  he  was  nearly  hull  down  astern.  At 
half-past  9  A.  M.,  he  took  in  his  studding-sails,  reefed  his  top» 
37* 


438 


NAVAL     HISTOR  Y 


[1819. 


sails  and  hauled  off  to  the  eastward ;  and  two  hours  later,  his 
upper  sails  had  dipped.  The  Hornet  had  now  no  anchor, 
cable,  nor  boat,  and  but  one  gun,  and  she  made  the  best  of  her 
way  to  St.  Salvador,  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded.  Hero 
Captain  Biddle  heard  of  the  peace,  when  ho  sailed  for  New 
York^  which  port  he  reached  on  the  80th  of  July. 

The  vessel  that  chased  the  ilornet  was  the  Cornwallis  74, 
bearing  the  flog  of  un  officer  proceeding  to  the  East  Indies. 

The  Peacock  continued  her  cruise,  and  on  the  30th  of  June, 
in  the  Straits  of  Sunda,  hIio  fell  in  with  the  East  India  Com- 
pany's cruiser,  Nautilus  14,  Ctiplain  Boyce.  In  consequence 
of  Captain  Warrington's  having  no  knowledge  of  the  peace, 
broadsides  were  exchanged,  when  the  Nautilus  struck.  This 
unfortunate  mistake  occurred  a  few  days  after  the  period  set 
for  the  termination  of  hostilities,  and  having  ascertained  that  u 
treaty  of  peace  had  been  ratified  in  March,  Captain  Warring- 
ton gave  up  the  Nautilus  the  next  day.  The  latter  vessel  had 
6  killed  and  8  wounded,  but  no  person  was  hurt  on  board  the 
Peacock,  which  ship  immediately  returned  homo. 

The  combat  between  the  Hornet  and  Penguin  was  the  last 
regular  action  of  the  war,  and  the  rencontre  between  the  Peo- 
cock  and  Nautilus,  the  last  instance  of  hostilities  between  the 
belligerents.  When  the  Peacock  got  in,  every  cruiser  that 
had  been  out  against  the  English  had  returned  to  port. 

The  burning  of  the  frigate  Columbia,  at  Washington,  and 
the  blockade  of  the  Java  in  the  Chesapeake,  had  induced  the 
government,  in  the  autumn  of  1814,  to  purchase  or  build  two 
squadrons  of  small  vessels,  one  of  which  was  to  bo  conmianded 
by  Captain  Porter,  and  the  other  by  Captain  Perry.  The 
former  succeeded  in  buying  five  brigantines,  or  schooners,  and 
he  was  about  to  sail  with  them,  when  the  news  of  peace  reached 
the  country.  The  vessels,  which  formed  one  of  these  flying 
squadrons,  were  the  Firefly,  Spark,  Torch,  Spitfire,  and  Flam- 
beau. The  first  destination  of  this  force  was  the  West  Indies, 
and  it  was  understood  that  it  was  to  sail  with  orders  to  burn, 
sink,  and  destroy,  without  attempting,  except  in  very  extra- 
ordinary cases,  to  get  any  thing  in. 

Captain  Perry  was  less  successful  in  finding  suitable  vessels, 
and  three  stout  brigs,  called  the  Boxer,  Saranac,  and  Chippewa, 
were  laid  down,  though  built  with  green  timber.  Another, 
called  the  Escape,  was  purchased  and  named  the  Prometheus ; 
but  it  would  seem  that  a  fifth  vessel  had  not  been  found  when 
peace  was  proclaimed. 


1815.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


439 


Thus  terminated  the  war  of  1812,  so  fur  as  it  was  connected 
with  the  American  murine.  The  navy  came  out  of  thiM  strug- 
gle with  a  vast  increase  of  reputation.  The  brilliant  style  in 
which  the  whips  had  been  carried  into  action,  the  steadiness 
and  rapidity  with  which  they  had  been  handled,  and  the  fatal 
accuracy  of  their  fire,  on  nearly  every  occasion,  pro<luced  a 
now  era  in  naval  warfare.  Most  of  the  frigate  actions  had  been 
as  soon  decided  as  circumstances  would  at  all  allow,  and  in 
no  instance  was  it  found  necessary  to  keep  up  the  fire  of  a 
sloop  of  war  an  hour,  when  singly  engaged.  Most  of  the 
combats  of  the  latter,  indeed,  were  decided  in  about  half  that 
time.  The  execution  done  i  these  short  condicts  was  oflen 
equal  to  that  made  by  the  largest  vessels  o(  Europe,  in  general 
actions ;  and  in  some  of  them,  the  slain  anc'  wounacd  comprised 
a  very  largo  proportion  of  the  c  -aws. 

It  is  not  easy  to  say  in  which  nation  tnis  unloo'  i^d-for  result 
created  the  most  surprise ;  America  or  EnglapH.  Jn  the  first 
it  produced  a  confidence  in  itself  that  liud  been  ..riatly  wanted, 
but  which,  in  the  end,  perhaps,  degcner  d  to  a  feeling  o*^  olf- 
estccm  and  security  that  was  not  without  daa/:er,or  entirely  with- 
out exaggeration.  The  lust  was  induced  to  alter  its  mode  of 
rating,  adopting  one  by  no  means  as  free  from  the  imputation  of  a 
want  of  consistency  as  that  which  it  abandoned,  and  it  altogether 
changed  its  estimate  of  the  force  of  single  ships,  as  well  as  of  the 
armaments  of  frigates.  The  ablest  and  bravest  captains  of  the 
English  fleet  were  ready  to  admit  that  it  new  power  was  about 
to  appear  on  the  ocean,  and  that  it  was  not  improbable  the  battle 
for  the  mastery  of  the  seas  would  have  to  be  fought  over  again. 
In  short,  while  some  of  the  ignorant,  presuming,  and  boastful 
were  disposed  to  find  excuses  for  the  unexpected  nautical  re- 
verses which  Great  Britain  had  met  with  in  this  short  war,  the 
sagacious  and  reflecting  fw  in  them  matter  for  serious  appre- 
hension and  alarm.  Th" ;  i- lew  that  the  former  triumphs  of 
their  admirals  had  not  so  much  grown  out  of  an  unusual  ability 
to  manoeuvre  fleets,  as  in  the  national  aptitude  to  manage  sin- 
gle ships ;  and  they  siw  the  proofs  of  the  same  aptitude,  in  the 
conduct  of  the  Americans  during  this  struggle,  improved  on 
by  a  skill  in  gu"in,ry,  that  had  never  before  been  so  uniformly 
manifested  in  naval  warfare.  In  a  word,  it  may  be  questioned 
if  all  the  great  victories  of  the  last  European  conflicts  caused 
more  exultation  among  the  uninstructed  of  that  nation,  than 
the  defeats  of  this  gave  rise  to  misgivings  and  apprehensions 
among  those  who  were  able  to  appreciate  causes  and  to  antici- 


440 


NAVAL     HISTORY 


[1815* 


pate  consequences  in  a  matter  so  purely  professional  as  the 
construction,  powers,  and  handling  of  ships.  Many  false 
modes  of  accounting  for  the  novel  character  that  had  been 
given  to  naval  battles  was  resorted  to.  Among  other  reasons, 
it  was  affirmed  that  the  American  vessels  of  war  sailed  with 
crews  of  picked  seamen.  It  is  not  known  that  a  single  vessel 
left  the  country,  the  case  of  the  Constitution  on  her  two  last 
cruises  excepted,  with  a  crew  that  could  be  deemed  extraordi- 
nary. No  American  man-of-war  ever  sailed  with  a  comple- 
ment composed  of  nothing  but  able  seamen  ;  and  some  of  ilie 
hardest  fought  battles  that  occurred  during  this  war,  were 
fought  by  ships'  companies  that  were  materially  worse  than 
common.  The  people  of  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain,  in 
particular,  were  of  a  quality  much  inferior  to  those  usually 
found  in  ships  of  war.  Neither  were  the  officers,  in  general, 
old  or  very  experienced.  The  navy  itself  had  existed  but 
fourteen  years,  when  the  war  commenced  ;  and  some  of  the 
commanders  began  their  professional  careers,  several  years 
after  the  first  appointments  had  been  made.  Perhaps  one  half 
of  the  lieutenants,  in  the  service  at  the  peace  of  1815,  had  gone 
on  board  ship,  for  the  first  time,  within  six  years  from  the 
decla"ition  of  the  war,  and  very  many  of  them  within  three 
or  four.  So  far  from  the  midshipmen  having  been  masters 
and  mates  of  merchantmen,  as  was  reported  at  the  time,  they 
were  generally  youths  that  first  quitted  the  ease  and  comforts 
of  the  paternal  home,  when  they  appeared  on  the  quarter-deck 
of  a  man-of-war. 

That  the  tone  and  discipline  of  the  service  were  high,  is 
true ;  but  it  must  be  ascribed  to  moral,  and  not  to  physical 
causes ;  to  that  aptitude  in  the  American  character  for  the  sea, 
which  has  been  so  constantly  manifested  from  the  day  the  first 
pinnace  sailed  along  the  coast  on  the  trading  voyages  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  down  to  the  present  moment. 


1815.} 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


441 


CHAPTER  L. 


Agreeably  to  the  policy  of  the  Barbary  powers,  the  Dey  of 
Algiers  no  sooner  found  the  republican  cruisers  excluded  from 
the  Mediterranean,  by  the  English  war,  than  he  began  to  com- 
;nit  his  depredations  on  the  little  American  commerce  that  re- 
mained in  or  near  that  sea.  During  the  late  conflict,  there 
was  little  leisure,  rnd  no  great  motive,  to  attend  to  this  new 
enemy,  but  peace  was  no  sooner  made  with  England,  than 
Congress,  on  the  2d  of  March,  1815,  passed  an  Act  authoriz- 
ing hostilities  against  Algiers.  This  was  at  a  moment  when 
extensive  preparations  had  been  making  to  continue  the  more 
serious  contest,  and,  as  several  thousand  mariners  were  at  once 
withdrawn  from  the  lakes,  the  government  was  enabled  to 
strike  an  early  and  important  blov/  at  its  new  enemy.  Crews 
wore  thrown  into  the  Guerriere,  Macedonian  and  Congress 
frigates,  the  light  squadrons  mentioned  in  the  last  chapter  fur- 
nished several  efficient  vessels  for  such  service,  and  various 
sloops  were  already  prepared  to  go  to  sea.  A  force  consisting 
of  the  Guerriere  44,  Capt.  Lewis ;  the  Constellation  38,  Capt. 
Gordon;  the  Macedonian  38,  Capt.  Jones;  the  Ontario  18, 
Capt.  Ellbtt;  Epervier  18,  Capt.  Downes;  Firefly  12,  Lt. 
Com.  Rodgers;  Spark  12,  Lt.  Com.  Gamble;  Flambeau  12, 
Lt.  Com.  Nicolson  ;  Torch  12,  Lt.  Com.  Chauncey,  and  Spit- 
fire 12,  Lt.  Com.  Dallas,  assembled  in  the  port  of  New  York 
in  the  course  of  the  spring.  May  the  21st,  this  squadron  sailed 
for  the  Mediterranean,  under  the  orders  of  Commodore  Decatur, 
whose  pennant  was  flying  in  the  Guerriere. 

The  Torch,  Spitfire  and  Firefly  separated  in  a  gale,  on  the 
26th  of  May,  the  Firefly  being  obliged  to  return  in  conse- 
quence of  springing  her  masts.  The  Ontario  also  lost  the 
squadron  on  the  31st.  Commodore  Decatur  reached  Tangiers 
on  the  15th  of  June,  and  had  some  communications  with  the 
consul.  From  this  gentleman  he  learned  that  the  Algerine 
Admiral  flammida,  had  been  off*  the  port  the  previous  day,  in 
a  frigate,  and  that  he  had  sailed  again  on  his  way  to  Cartha- 
gena,  in  company  wi'h  a  heavy  brig.  The  squadron  entered 
the  Straits  immediately,  called  the  Ontario,  Spitfire  and  Torch 
out  of  Gibraltar  by  signal,  in  passing,  and  shaped  its  course 


*: 


442 


NAVAL    HI  STORY. 


[1815. 


for  Cape  de  Gait.  On  the  17th  of  June,  it  fell  m  with  the 
Algcrine  frigate  Misliouri  46,  Uais  Ilammida,  when  the  Con- 
stellation, Capt.  Gordon,  the  leading  vessel,  succeeded  in  bring- 
ing her  to  action.  In  a  few  minutes  the  Guerriere,  Capt.  Lewis, 
bearing  the  Commodore's  pennant,  passed  between  the  two 
vessels,  and  poured  in  a  broadside.  Unfortunately  one  of  the 
twenty -fours  burst,  at  this  discharge,  blew  up  the  spar  deck,  and 
killed  and  wounded  from  30  to  45  men.  The  effect  of  her 
broadside,  notwithstanding,  was  to  drive  the  enemy  from  his 
guns,  a  few  musketraen  alone  continuing  the  action  on  the 
part  of  the  Algerines.  The  Ontario  pressing  the  Mishouri  on 
her  quarter,  the  Macedonian  coming  up  on  her  beam,  and  the 
small  vessels  closing  also,  there  was  no  possibility  of  escape, 
and  the  enemy  struck.  The  Algerine  Admiral  was  among  the 
slain. 

Com.  Decatur  reported  this  affair  as  a  running  fight  of  25* 
minutes,  in  which  the  enemy  had  30  men  killed,  besides  a 
great  many  wounded.  The  prisoners  amounted  to  406.  No 
vessel  sustained  any  loss  but  the  Guerriere,  on  board  of  which 
ship  4  men  were  wounded  by  musket-balls,  in  addition  to  those 
who  suffered  by  the  explosion. 

Two  days  later,  or  on  the  19th  of  June,  the  squadron  chased 
an  enemy's  brig  of  22  guns,  and  180  men,  into  shoal  water, 
off  Cape  Palos.  The  Eperviev,  Spark,  Torch  and  Spitfire 
were  ordered  in  to  destroy  her,  and  they  compelled  her  to 
strike  after  a  short  resistance.  No  less  than  23  dead  were 
found  on  board  this  vessel,  and  80  prisoners  were  received  from 
her,  though  many  of  her  people  escaped  to  the  shore.  It  was 
thought  that  many  of  those  who  had  left  the  prize,  perished  by 
the  fire  of  the  assailants,  and  it  was  known  that  one  boat  was 
sunk.  No  injury  was  sustained  by  the  Americans,  nor  was 
either  of  the  vessels  injured.     The  brig  was  called  the  Estedio. 

Commodore  Decatur  sent  his  prizes  into  Carthagena,  and 
proceeded  to  Algiers  with  most  of  his  vessels,  where  he  arrived 
on  the  28th.  Here  the  Dey  was  offered  the  choice  of  war  or 
peace,  and  he  wisely  accepted  the  latter.  A  treuty  was  con- 
■luded  June  30th,  or  just  40  days  after  the  American  squadron 
left  New  York.  This  treaty  is  memorable  from  the  circum- 
stance that  it  was  made  on  the  terms  of  reciprocity  acknow- 
ledged among  civilised  nations.  By  this  treaty,  tribute  was 
for  ever  abolished,  as  between  the  United  States  and  Algiers : 
there  was  a  mutual  delivery  of  prisoners  ;  a  restitution  of  pro- 
perty taken  from  American  citizens  was  made;  nor  were 


idi5.] 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


443 


slaves  to  be  made,  in  the  event  of  any  future  war.  In  other 
respects,  this  arrangement  was  acceptable  to  the  republic  and 
humiliating  to  the  regency. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  Dey  was  induced  to  sign 
this  treaty  thus  promptly,  on  account  of  the  critical  condition 
of  the  remainder  of  his  fleet ;  portions  of  which  were  expected 
hourly  off  the  place.  An  attempt  had  been  made  to  procure 
a  suspension  of  hostilities,  pending  the  negotiation ;  but  to  this 
proposition,  the  American  commissioners,  Com.  Decatur  and 
Mr.  William  Shaler,  absolutely  declined  acceding.  A  sloop 
of  war  did  actually  heave  in  sight  before  the  treaty  was  receiv- 
ed, signed  by  the  Dey  ;  and  had  she  appeared  an  hour  sooner, 
she  would  have  been  captured.  The  Dey  asked,  as  a  personal 
favour,  to  have  the  frigate  and  brig  restored,  and  to  this  the 
Commissioners  consented,  though  they  refused  to  allow  an  arti- 
cle to  that  effect  to  be  inserted  in  the  treaty. 

After  dictating  terms  to  the  Dey  of  Algiers,  in  the  manner 
mentioned,  Commodore  Decatur  transferred  Captain  Downcs 
of  the  Epervier  to  his  own  ship,  gave  the  command  of  the 
former  to  the  Guerriere's  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  John  Templar 
Shubrick,  and  ordered  the  latter  home  with  the  treaty.  The 
Epervier  left  the  squadron  a  few  days  after  the  prisoners  were 
released,  and  passed  the  Straits  about  the  10th  of  July.  It  is 
said  that  she  was  seen  early  in  August,  and  that  a  tremendous 
gale  succeeded  on  the  following  day ;  but  nothing  certain  is 
known  of  her  fate.  Twenty-six  years  have  elapsed,  and  no 
occurrence  has  transpired  to  throw  any  light  on  the  nature 
of  the  disaster.  Like  the  Saratoga,  I'Insurgente,  the  Pickering, 
the  Wasp,  and  gun-boat  No.  7,  this  unfortunate  vessel  has  dis- 
appeared, leaving  behind  her  no  traces  of  the  manner  in  which 
she  was  lost.* 


3d 


*  There  were  several  passengers  on  board  the  Epervier,  some  of  whom 
had  been  prisoners  in  Algiers.  Among  others  were  Captain  Lewis,  late 
of  the  Guerriere,  and  Mr.  Benedict  J.  Neale,  late  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Constellation.  These  gentlemen  had  married  sisters,  a  short  time  before 
the  squadron  left  home,  and  having  seen  the  war  at  an  end,  were  return- 
ing to  their  brides,  with  the  feelings  of  men  who  had  the  consciousness 
of  having  temporarily  sacrificed  the  best  affections  to  duty.  Of  course 
they  were  lost  in  the  vessel. 

Mr.  John  Templar  Shubrick  was  a  son  of  Col.  Richard  Shubrick  of 
South  Carolina,  who  had  served  with  credit  in  the  war  of  the  revolution, 
and  was  allied  by  blood  to  the  Draytons,  Hamiltons,  Hayncs',  and  other 
patriotic  and  distinguished  families  of  that  Stats.  Mr.  Shubrick  had 
been  singularly  fortunate  in  seeing  service.     He  was  on  board  the  Con- 


444 


NAVAL     HISTORY. 


[1815. 


Peace  was  no  sooner  signed  with  Algiers,  than  Commodore 
Decatur  proceeded  first  to  Tunis  and  then  to  Tripoli,  with 
reclamations  on  those  governments,  for  injuries  done  American 
commerce,  during  the  late  English  war.  In  both  instances 
redr  'ss  was  obtained  in  the  promptest  manner.  Commodore 
Decatur  says,  in  one  of  hi»  official  letters,  in  reference  to  these 
denanJa, — "  During  the  progress  of  our  negotiations  with  the 
Stidet  of  Barbary,  now  brought  to  a  conclusion,  there  has  ap- 
peared a  disposition,  on  the  part  of  each  of  them,  to  grant  as 
far  as  we  were  disposed  to  demand."  No  better  illustration 
can  be  given  of  the  change  that  had  been  effected  by  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Navy,  within  twelve  or  fifteen  years,  than  is  to  b^ 
found  in  this  simple  but  memorable  declaration.  The  facts 
fully  warranted  it;  and  from  the  summer  of  1815,  dates  the 
fall  of  a  system  of  piratical  depredations  that  had  rendered  the 
high  seas  in  that  quarter  of  the  world  insecure  for  several  cen- 
turies, and  which  existed  a  disgrace  to  European  civilization. 

As  the  prompt  submission  of  the  Dey  of  Algiers  could  not 
be  foreseen,  vessels  were  constantly  quitting  the  United  States 
for  the  Mediterranean,  as  they  got  ready,  in  order  to  reinforce 
the  squadron,  in  anticipation  of  an  attack  upon  the  town. 
Among  others,  the  Independence  74  sailed,  under  the  orders 
of  Commodore  Bainbridgc,  who  was  to  assume  the  chief  com- 
mand, on  arriving  out.  This  was  the  first  two-decked  ship 
that  ever  went  to  sea  under  the  American  flag.  She  arrived 
too  late  for  active  service  ;  but  collecting  several  ships,  Com- 


stitution  in  her  actions  with  the  Gucrriere  and  Java.  He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  the  Hornet,  and  acted  as  her  first  lieutenant  when  she  took  the 
Peacock.  He  sailed  in  the  President,  Commodore  Decatur,  as  her  second 
lieutenant,  but  became  first  in  the  action,  Mr.  Babbit  having  been  killed 
at  the  first  broadside  of  the  Endymion.  He  then  went  to  the  Guerriere, 
as  first,  and  was  near  being  destroyed  by  the  bursting  of  the  gun,  in  the 
action  with  the  Algerine,  a  large  piece  of  the  metal  actually  hitting  his 
hat.  Afler  all  his  escapes,  Mr.  Shubrick  perished  in  the  manner  men- 
tioned. He  was  an  officer  of  not  only  high  promise,  but  of  high  per- 
fbrmance,  his  conduct  on  every  occasion  eliciting  praise  from  his  supe- 
riors. He'had  not  long  been  married  when  he  was  lost,  leaving  an  only 
son.  Four  brothers  of  this  fumi'.y  have  served  in  the  navy  with  reputa- 
tion. The  second  in  years,  is  Commodore  Wm.  Branford  Shubrick,  late 
of  the  West-India  squadron,  and  now  commanding  at  Norfolk;  Captain 
Edward  Shubrick  is  the  third ;  and  Commander  Irvine  Shubrick  is  the 
youngest.  The  son  of  Mr.  John  Templar  Shubrick,  is  also  a  lieutenant 
in  the  navy. 

On  board  the  Epervier  also  perished  Lieutenant  Yarnall,  who  had  been 
first  in  the  Lawrence,  in  her  bloody  conflict  on  Lake  Erie. 


seen 


18160  NAVAL    HISTORY.  44^ 

modore  Bainbridge  made  a  great  impression  on  the  dlflllr^ht 
Barbary  powers,  by  showing  this  fresh  force  off  their  ports, 
just  after  Commodere  Decatur  had  lefl  them.  In  this  manner 
a  squadron  was  60on  assembled,  that  greatly  exceeded  ih 
numbers  and  guns,  any  force  that  the  republic  held  th^n 
sent  to  sea.  It  is  believed  that  the  fbllowing  vessels  ap- 
peared  in  the  Mediterranean  at,  br  quite  near,  the  same  time, 
viz : — 

independence ...  74  ... .  Com.  Bainbridge. 

Guerriere 44  ....  Capt.  Downes,  Com.  Decatur. 

United  States ...  44  ... .  Capt.  Shaw. 
Constellation  ...  38  ....  Capt.  Gordon. 

Congress 38  ....  Capt.  Morris. 

Macedonian  ....  38  ....  Capt.  Jones. 

Ontario 18  ....  Capt.  Elliott. 

Erie 18  ....  Capt.  Ridgely. 

Epervier 18  ....  Lt.  Com.  Shubrick. 

Boxer 16  ....  Lt.  Com.  Porter. 

Saranac 16  ....  Lt.  Com.  Elton. 

Chippewa  .....  16  ....  Lt.  Com.  Reid. 

Spark 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Gamble. 

Enterprise. .....  12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Kearny. 

Firefly 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Rodgers. 

Spitfire 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Dallas. 

Torch 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Chauncey. 

Flambeau 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Nicolson. 

Lynx 12  ....  Lt.  Com.  Storer, 

The  Java  44,  Captain  Perry,  appeared  a  little  later.  Com- 
modore Decatur  returned  home  with  the  (iruerriere  and  one  or 
two  other  vessels,  as  soon  as  the  service  \  'as  completed ;  and 
Commodore  Bainbridge  arrived  at  Newport  in  November,  with 
thirteen  vessels  of  the  squadron,  viz :  one  ship  of  the  line,  two 
frigates,  seven  brigs,  and  three  schooners.  This  is  the  largest 
American  force  that  ever  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  company. 

Commodore  Shaw  was  lefl  in  command,  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean, with  the  United  States  44,  Constellation  38,  Ontario  18, 
and  Erie  18.     The  Java  44,  joined  him  shortly  after. 

Thus  terminated  the  last  Barbary  war,  the  impression  lefl 
by  which  promises  to  be  lasting,  and  which  may  be  said,  hi- 
deed,  to  have  changed  the  policy  of  Europe,  as  regards  those 
States,  which  had  so  long  existed  as  nuisances  to  all  legal 

(  I  :  6  K  A  R  Y  ) 


446  NAVAL    HISTORY.  [1841. 

navigation,  and  exceptions  to  the  laws  that  regulated  inter* 
course  between  civilized  nations. 

The  misunderstanding  in  the  Mt,<lit('rf.inean  hang  uvan^d, 
the  country  had  no  longer  any  pn^fiinjij  service  for  it.?-  v.iarine. 
Nevei  Lheless,  it  now  offered  the  sin^'ular  sjjectacle  of  a  .-  mtry 
increasing  its  naval  r.rmarr>cnts,  hx  n  tinu-  ri'  ,v  foiia  '  r  iaco. 
The  vJnws  of  the  government  would  seem  to  havf)  etiiiarged 
with  the  late  events,  and  the  t^qcessity  of  keeping  afloat  a  force 
sufficient  to  protect  a  iiavigatton  that  extended  to  the  re;notest 
corners  of  J lio  eartli,  ^v  as  now  generally  admitted.  Tho  foreign 
stations  were  no  longer  limited  to  tlie  Mediten-inoar ,  but  ahips 
from  this  time  forwar.l  woe  periodically  sent  to  the  Pacific 
and  the  coasi  of  Brazil.  Not  lonp;  after,  thf  l^ast  and  West 
Indies,  and  the  coast  of  Africa  Rilracted  notice  ;  and  for  many 
years,  squadrons  have  been  employed  in  the  Meditcrranehn, 
on  the  roast  of  Brazil,  in  the  West  Indies,  and  in  the  East 
Indies,  the  latter,  however,  regularly  proceeding  round  the 
^orld,  touching  at  all  such  points  as  the  public  interests  have 
required.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  all  the  active  cruisers 
have,  been  employed  on  this  foreign  service,  leaving  the  home 
coast,  with  few  and  transient  exceptions,  quite  without  protec- 
tion. A  recent  law  (1841)  has  remedied  this  signal  defect  in 
the  nautical  policy  of  the  country,  and  henceforth,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  the  nation  will  possess  an  active  home  squadron. 

Attention  was  paid,  soon  afler  the  peace  of  1815,  to  the 
regular  increase  of  the  navy,  and  a  great  improvement  has  been 
made  in  the  construction  of  dry  docks.  The  following  two- 
decked  ships  have  been  put  into  the  water,  and  all  of  them 
have  been  used  on  foreign  stations,  viz : 

Independence 74 

Washington .74 

Franklin 74 

Columbus 80 

North  Carolina 80 

Delaware 80 

Ohio 80 

Most  of  these  ships  have  been  found  to  be  good  vessels  of 
their  class,  and  two  or  three  of  them  quite  superior  to  ordinary 
ships  of  the  line.  They  have  never  been  tried  in  squadron, 
an  experiment  that  is  necessary  to  a  just  appreciation  of  their 
respective  qualities.  It  remains  yet  to  assemble  the  first 
American  fleet.    A  strong  force  of  this  character  is  indispen- 


1841.] 


NAVAL    HISTORY. 


447 


sable  to  forming  a  perfect  and  efficient  marine,  since  in  war 
great  results  can  only  be  obtained  by  an  exhibition  of  great 
power. 

One  three-decker,  the  Pennsylvania  120,  has  been  launched. 
Several  ships  of  the  line  and  frigates  are  also  on  the  stocks. 

The  navy  has  also  been  increased,  within  the  last  twenty* 
five  years,  by  the  addition  of  many  heavy  frigates  and  sloops 
of  v;ar:  although  still  far  from  having  reached  the  point 
necessary  to  a  complete  defence  of  the  nation,  it  is  probably, 
to-day,  a  hundred-fold  stronger  than  it  was  at  the  declaration 
of  war  in  1812.  Timber  and  other  materials  have  been  col- 
lected in  considerable  quantities,  for  the  construction  of  new 
ships  on  an  emergency ;  and  there  is  little  doubt  that  another 
contest  would  develope  the  nautical  resources  of  the  nation  to 
an  extent  never  anticipated  by  the  last  generation. 

As  the  ships  of  the  navy  are  constantly  changing,  a  list 
would  be  of  little  permanent  use.  The  officers  form  the  essen- 
tial  feature  of  the  service,  and  of  these  there  are  now,  between— 

60  and    70  Captains, 
90  and  100  Commanders, 
350  and  400  Lieutenants,  &c.  &c. 

Unfortunately,  Congress  has  not  yet  established  any  higher 
grade  than  that  first  named,  thereby  neglecting  the  calls  of 
justice,  and  the  lofly  considerations  which  are  inseparable  from 
the  incentives  connected  with  professional  rank,  as  well  as  one 
of  the  most  certain  means  of  maintaining  discipline.  All  mili- 
tary experience  shows  that  rank  and  authority  are  correla- 
tives ;  and  all  nautical  practice  has  gone  to  prove  that  fleets 
are  never  thoroughly  efficient,  until  animated  and  controlled 
by  the  feeling  connected  with  a  perfect  submission  to  orders. 

There  is  no  longer  any  question  concerning  the  expediency 
of  the  republic's  maintaining  a  powerful  marine.  Experience 
has  shown  there  i^  no  security  without  one,  and  the  gallant 
service,  whose  exploits  have  here  been  recorded,  has  got  to  be 
so  necessary  to,  and  so  general  a  favourite  with,  the  nation, 
that  it  scarcely  exceeds  the  bounds  of  truth  to  say  that  their 
existence  is  inseparable. 

THE   END. 


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